Article

2010-09-05 Afghanistan

Burned once, NATO second-in-command refuses to predict success

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2010-09-05 03:12|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 Winning is out of the picture when the enemy can cut and run into safe harbors.

Posted by Hupavish Grundy2869 2010-09-05 05:19|| 2010-09-05 05:19|| Front Page Top

#2 That's the key, isn't it? Once they've got their "Ho Chi Minh Trail" they've got an advantage.

Posted by Fred 2010-09-05 09:31|| 2010-09-05 09:31|| Front Page Top

#3 That's why an ARCLIGHT strike or twelve in the NWFP would do wonders for changing the behavior of the talibunnies. Having a manmade earthquake strike every three or four days has a negative effect on morale - not to mention minds and bodies.

Posted by Old Patriot 2010-09-05 14:02|| 2010-09-05 14:02|| Front Page Top

#4 Winning is out of the picture when the enemy can cut and run into safe harbors

Which would be 99% of the area around Marja.

If we can't clear towns like Marja, which is a long way from the Pak border (at least 400 Ks by road), there is no hope in places closer to the border like Kandahar.

Afghanistan is an ethnic civil war. It is no more ideological than the ethnic wars that rage across large parts of Africa.

Posted by phil_b 2010-09-05 20:57|| 2010-09-05 20:57|| Front Page Top

#5 Winning means clearing and holding terrain. Clearing and moving on is a non-starter. It takes a boatload of manpower and time to clear and hold ground. Sadly, more of a time and resource investment than this administration is willing to invest.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-09-05 21:03|| 2010-09-05 21:03|| Front Page Top

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