By the time you get to the end of this post you will be ready to take a hit:
"US begins handing over bases to Afghan military; Marines plan to shift troops to desert posts" by Rajiv Chandrasekaran,Washington Post / November 7, 2010
"US begins handing over bases to Afghan military; Marines plan to shift troops to desert posts" by Rajiv Chandrasekaran,Washington Post / November 7, 2010
NAWA, Afghanistan — US Marines have begun handing over some of their small bases to the Afghan army in this once-volatile district in the country’s southwest, a transition that top military commanders intend to cite as proof that the Obama administration’s troop escalation and counterinsurgency strategy are succeeding....
And if my lying, war-promoting newspaper tells us it's true it must be.
But the Marine plan still envisages a significant US military presence in the desert and in the district’s main town to provide emergency backup to Afghan soldiers, mentor the fledgling police force, and interdict insurgents seeking to enter the area....
Translation: Nothing is really changing and their is no progress.
The situation in Nawa suggests that the hand over might lead to the same kinds of differing interpretations that have clouded recent reports of progress in the war, particularly the killing of insurgent commanders by coalition commandos and the talks between a few senior Taliban leaders and members of the Afghan government....
At this point I begin to wonder what the AmeriKan MSM is smoking.
The Marines’ assessment that they are needed in Nawa beyond next summer — the two-year mark for US forces in the district — could influence a White House review of the war set for December....
“If we can’t get out of Nawa in two years, that calls into question some of the basic assumptions of the COIN [counterinsurgency] strategy,’’ said a senior administration official involved in Afghanistan policy, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Then why did the deceptive headline and first paragraph blare success?
A farming community of about 80,000 people along the Helmand River, Nawa is regarded by many military and civilian officials to be a model of counterinsurgency operations and the most stable district among those targeted with new forces authorized by Obama last year....
The military officials said a final decision on how many troops will remain in the area after next summer will not be made until spring and that it could involve a far greater drawdown than the Marines are forecasting.
Or it could mean more troops to the area.
US and NATO forces have handed over bases to the Afghan army over the past few years in places that never had much insurgent violence or were deemed unimportant to the campaign against the Taliban....
Trumpeted as progress the whole time.
The transfer entails significant risks. Although Nawa is one of the most secure districts in this part of Afghanistan, Taliban fighters continue to plant homemade bombs on roads and threaten residents who cooperate with the government. The Marines are betting that ragtag soldiers and a police force beset with internal divisions will be able to hold their own and maintain public confidence....
Does that sound like a good strategy to end the war and succeed with the mission?
Backing a loser?
--more--"
And if my lying, war-promoting newspaper tells us it's true it must be.
But the Marine plan still envisages a significant US military presence in the desert and in the district’s main town to provide emergency backup to Afghan soldiers, mentor the fledgling police force, and interdict insurgents seeking to enter the area....
Translation: Nothing is really changing and their is no progress.
The situation in Nawa suggests that the hand over might lead to the same kinds of differing interpretations that have clouded recent reports of progress in the war, particularly the killing of insurgent commanders by coalition commandos and the talks between a few senior Taliban leaders and members of the Afghan government....
At this point I begin to wonder what the AmeriKan MSM is smoking.
The Marines’ assessment that they are needed in Nawa beyond next summer — the two-year mark for US forces in the district — could influence a White House review of the war set for December....
“If we can’t get out of Nawa in two years, that calls into question some of the basic assumptions of the COIN [counterinsurgency] strategy,’’ said a senior administration official involved in Afghanistan policy, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Then why did the deceptive headline and first paragraph blare success?
A farming community of about 80,000 people along the Helmand River, Nawa is regarded by many military and civilian officials to be a model of counterinsurgency operations and the most stable district among those targeted with new forces authorized by Obama last year....
The military officials said a final decision on how many troops will remain in the area after next summer will not be made until spring and that it could involve a far greater drawdown than the Marines are forecasting.
Or it could mean more troops to the area.
US and NATO forces have handed over bases to the Afghan army over the past few years in places that never had much insurgent violence or were deemed unimportant to the campaign against the Taliban....
Trumpeted as progress the whole time.
The transfer entails significant risks. Although Nawa is one of the most secure districts in this part of Afghanistan, Taliban fighters continue to plant homemade bombs on roads and threaten residents who cooperate with the government. The Marines are betting that ragtag soldiers and a police force beset with internal divisions will be able to hold their own and maintain public confidence....
Does that sound like a good strategy to end the war and succeed with the mission?
Backing a loser?
--more--"
Same day (hidden in the briefs):
"NATO investigates attack on troops
KABUL — NATO said yesterday that it is investigating whether an Afghan National Army soldier killed two coalition service members in southern Afghanistan, where joint forces are pushing into insurgent strongholds. NATO said the coalition and the Afghan government were jointly investigating how the two service members died Friday evening in Sangin, a dangerous district of Helmand Province (AP)."
And we are going to turn over bases to these guys?
"Afghan border policeman kills 6 US troops during training; Taliban claim responsibility for gun attack" by Heidi Vogt, Associated Press / November 30, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan border police officer killed six American servicemen during a training mission yesterday, underscoring one of the risks in a US-led program to educate enough recruits to turn over the lead for security to Afghan forces by 2014....
I thought we were leaving next year; that's what Obama said.
Attacks on NATO troops by Afghan police or soldiers, although still rare, have increased as the coalition has accelerated the program.
Does that make sense to you?
See: AmeriKan Justice Arrives in Afghanistan
No wonder they are all f***ed up.
Other problems with the rapidly growing security forces include drug use, widespread illiteracy, and high rates of attrition....
The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying the gunman joined the border police to kill foreign soldiers.
I thought we were leaving next year; that's what Obama said.
Attacks on NATO troops by Afghan police or soldiers, although still rare, have increased as the coalition has accelerated the program.
Does that make sense to you?
See: AmeriKan Justice Arrives in Afghanistan
No wonder they are all f***ed up.
Other problems with the rapidly growing security forces include drug use, widespread illiteracy, and high rates of attrition....
The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying the gunman joined the border police to kill foreign soldiers.
“Today he found this opportunity and he killed six invaders,’’ said Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, in a statement e-mailed to the media.
Oh, now they are allegedly e-mailing rather than using the cellphone?
I'm beginning to wonder whether these mouthpiece media sources are even real.
The shooter opened fire on the NATO troops and then was killed in the shootout, NATO said, without providing additional details....
Yup, we won't be getting any answers now.
The recent increase in such shootings suggests that the Afghan security forces may be suffering from growing pains....
I'm sorry, that is disgusting "journalism" -- as if mowing down our guys is all a normal part of the process.
Only 11 percent of enlisted personnel and 35 percent of noncommissioned officers in Afghanistan’s army and police are literate, according to NATO trainers.
Then HOW can they READ SOMEONE their RIGHTS?
And before NATO took over the training mission for the security forces, many Afghan police recruits were issued uniforms and guns and sent out to postings without any sort of training in weapons or law enforcement.
But they made the numbers look good for the Pentagon propaganda.
Drug use is also common among the police, though NATO trainers say they are doing a better job of screening for drugs and kicking out addicts.
At least the TALIBAN were not HIGH on DRUGS like OUR GUYS!!
Btw, I noticed the PEACE TALKS coverage went away right quick in my war-promoting paper!
Those testing positive for heroin or other hard drugs are immediately discharged, while those testing positive for marijuana use are put on probation while they kick the habit.
(Sound of blog editor inhaling)
--more--"
'ere, readers.... (cough, cough, cough)
