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2007-11-19 Afghanistan

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Posted by lotp 2007-11-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 We need to get the Maries out of Iraq and into Afghanistan ASAP. With enough supplies to assure that the southeastern area can be subdued in any event.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-11-19 07:30|| 2007-11-19 07:30|| Front Page Top

#2 Then we can talk about getting out of NATO.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-11-19 07:31|| 2007-11-19 07:31|| Front Page Top

#3 This is BS. NATO is the USA. Period.

No one scales back anything or starts anything without it going straight through the USA. If this is not current or future USA policy then the FT is full of it.

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2007-11-19 13:25|| 2007-11-19 13:25|| Front Page Top

#4 Diagree, Jack. The Euros are running much of the current Afghan campaign and they don't take much in the way of suggestions from us. Or follow our example on a lot of things, either.

Now, if you mean that in practice nearly all the effective military force available in the NATO countries belongs to the US and, to a much lesser degree, Britain and to an even lesser degree France, then I agree. But unfortunately it's quite conceivable that the Brits and others are cutting deals with the Taleban -- they've been doing it for a while now, to our dismay, just as they did in Basra ... and with pretty much the same results.

Posted by lotp 2007-11-19 13:31|| 2007-11-19 13:31|| Front Page Top

#5 Wonder what it costs the Germans to have 3000 soldiers park their butts outside of Kabul and whether they think it earns any credits with the Americans?

Posted by ed 2007-11-19 13:40|| 2007-11-19 13:40|| Front Page Top

#6 It does cost them, ed. And I don't know what they think they earn with us as a result. Certainly it took arm-twisting by us and by the Brits to get the other NATO countries who are there to be there in any form whatsoever.

That's due in part to ideology, in greater part to economics and in even greater part to the poor condition, training and equipment of their militaries.

Posted by lotp 2007-11-19 14:15|| 2007-11-19 14:15|| Front Page Top

#7 Well I figure 1% of what it is costing the Germans will pay for at least 3000 Afghan troops/police and be more effective to boot.

Posted by ed 2007-11-19 14:30|| 2007-11-19 14:30|| Front Page Top

#8 But unfortunately it's quite conceivable that the Brits and others are cutting deals with the Taleban -- they've been doing it for a while now, to our dismay, just as they did in Basra ... and with pretty much the same results.

If this is true, we need to end the NATO alliance...yesterday. And leave the Euros to their just deserved fate. As a descendant of European stock, I feel no fealty or nostalgia to/for the Europeans. Let them pray...5 times a day.

Posted by Glusomp Grundy1452 2007-11-19 15:00|| 2007-11-19 15:00|| Front Page Top

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