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Afghanistan

Allied failure in Afghanistan 'would intoxicate terrorists'

2009-09-18

General David Petraeus said that the challenges in Afghanistan were serious, that they required a sustained and substantial commitment and that there were no quick fixes.

The new head of the British Army, General Sir David Richards, also warned last night that Nato had yet to find the right formula for success in Afghanistan. General Richards also warned that defeat for the international coalition would have an intoxicating impact on extremists around the world. Failure for an alliance as powerful as the Nato presence in Afghanistan would convice terrorists that anything might be possible.

The two generals were speaking after a soul-searching summer marked by a rising number of casualties. Since 2001 Britains death toll has reached 216 and Americas 830. But both men insist that the mission is achievable.

Posted by:tipper

#4 When the Poles went out on missions they would drive to one side of the roadway, right up until they hit a choke point (like a bridge) then they would use the road. This, in their minds, kept them from getting hit with IED's.

'What to do?' says the local Jonny T commander.

Put the IED at the bridge and wait for the Poles.

Poles get blown up, then they no longer want to play ball.

Think I am kidding? This is the exact scenario last year in AFG when the Polish contingent in the area went out. They followed the same routines and got whacked. Now they want to take their toys and go home.

Same with the French.

They went out thinking that Jonny T only wanted to play REAL ball with the stinking American. Then they got to play ball with some pro-level guerilla types (pro for guerillas) and found out that playing ball with people who don't care what your rules are can get a guy killed.

Then the French leadership seriously thought about getting out (once again pissing all over the boots of their soldiers who wanted to do their job, SOP for them). They did not, which was a miracle and I wonder if that little trick with the voodoo doll really worked.

As good as the individual soldiers from other nations are as a group they do not have the stomach for the fight. The civilian leadership back home does not want to support them and is entirely too used to having the US shoulder the work (and cost) of fighting.

Posted by: Jame Retief 2009-09-18 14:15

#3 General David Petraeus said that the challenges in Afghanistan were serious, that they required a sustained and substantial commitment and that there were no quick fixes.

His worry may be coming on the heels of Canada's announcement, along with rumblings from Berlusconi of a 'strong reduction', not to mention EU polls showing strong pressure for other NATO allies to pull out.

And, as Michael Yon opines, 'the bulk of NATO amounts to little more than a 'Taliban pinata'. They piled in when the war looked easy and largely humanitarian, but now that it's getting harder and more dangerous, they would like to pile out".

Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 2009-09-18 12:12

#2 How about sterilizing the entire country = acid trip?

Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2009-09-18 11:07

#1 headline needs fixing. quote is from a brit general, though Petraeus was pictured (and said other things)

Posted by: liberalhawk 2009-09-18 10:28

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