"Afghanistan more dangerous now, aid groups report; Taliban have a presence in areas once safe" by Rod Nordland, New York Times | September 12, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan — Even as more American troops flow into the country, Afghanistan is more dangerous than it has ever been during this war, with security deteriorating in recent months, according to international organizations and humanitarian groups.
Large parts of the country that were once completely safe, like most of the northern provinces, now have a substantial Taliban presence — even in areas where there are few Pashtuns, who previously were the Taliban’s only supporters.
Related: Assessing the U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan
I called it, didn't I?
Also see: Taliban I Told You So
Yeah, strange how "they" show up as the war expands, huh?
As NATO forces poured in and shifted to the south to battle the Taliban in their stronghold, the Taliban responded with a surge of their own, greatly increasing their activities in the north and parts of the east.
The worsening security comes as the Obama administration is under increasing pressure to show results to maintain public support for the war....
There is no public support left for their damn wars, but hey, what is one more MSM lie and deception?
American military officials blame the rise in the number of its forces here for the increased level of violence. The result is more military operations, they say, and more opportunities for the insurgents to attack coalition forces.
Yeah, even if we are losing we are winning. Great way to keep wars going.
That does not, however, entirely explain the increased activity of the Taliban in areas where they were seldom seen before, and where the coalition presence is light.
No, the murder of civilians and the code of ethics the Afghans live by has more to do with it.
The Afghan NGO Safety Office says that by almost every metric it has, Afghanistan is more dangerous now than at any time since 2001....
Related: Afghans Need Taliban Return
Yeah, in more ways than one!
The most recent US troop buildup comes in response to steady advances by the Taliban. Four years ago, the insurgents were active in only four provinces. Now they are active in 33 of 34, the organizations say.
That is LOSING, folks!
“We do not support the perspective that this constitutes ‘things getting worse before they get better,’ ’’ said Nic Lee, director of the Afghan NGO Safety Office, “but rather see it as being consistent with the five-year trend of things just getting worse.’’
You mean my MSM lied to me -- again?
Related: Aid Workers Killed in Afghanistan
So many things go right down the MSM memory hole.
Military officials counter that they are making headway against the Taliban. General David H. Petraeus said recently that NATO forces had killed or captured 2,974 insurgents this summer, 235 of them commanders.
And we are still losing after nine years, huh?
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Of course, NATO is going to fix it:
"NATO revises contract award process; Command takes aim at corruption in Afghanistan" by Deb Riechmann, Associated Press | September 13, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan — NATO command has issued new guidelines for awarding billions of dollars worth of international contracts in Afghanistan, saying that without proper oversight the money could end up in the hands of insurgents and criminals, deepen corruption, and undermine efforts to win the loyalty of the Afghan people at a critical juncture in the war.
We have lost the loyalty battle.
Also see: U.S. Paying Taliban For Protection
American Taxpayers Bailout Afghan Bank
Had it with the fooleys?
The guidance, issued last week by General David Petraeus and obtained yesterday by the Associated Press, was issued in response to concern that the military’s own contracting procedures could be running counter to efforts on the battlefield.
Obtained is the AP's way of saying the Pentagon gave it to them.
Makes it sound as if AP had to do some real work.
The changes are aimed, in large part, at addressing complaints that Afghans have seen little change in their daily lives despite billions poured into their country since 2001....
Actually, it is MUCH, MUCH WORSE!
Private contractors, both Afghans and foreigners, provide a range of services to US and NATO forces, including transportation, security, management of dining facilities and sanitation at military bases, training, and construction.
You know, war profiteers like Halliburton.
Also see: The OverBearing Government of Afghanistan
Then why did my paper tell me it was Karzai?
Precise figures on the amount of money paid to contractors were unavailable, though most estimates put the figure at about $14 billion a year. Admiral Kathleen Dussault, head of the Joint Contracting Command, was quoted as recently as July saying that the amount of money being spent in Afghanistan had tripled since 2008....
While your country crumbles, America.
All to rebuild what we keep destroying.
Has it been worth it?
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