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| Afghanistan |
| Puzzle Palace basically admits what everyone knew about Afghanistan |
| 2016-12-22 |
| [Daily Caller] The Pentagon’s semi-annual assessment of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan portends a grim situation for President-elect Donald Trump when he assumes control of America’s longest war. The sum of the assessment basically amounts to two ideas: The scale of the problem is much larger than the current U.S. commitment, and the pace of the solution — training Afghan soldiers and then keeping them alive — is faltering dramatically. The U.S. resolute support command estimates the Taliban control 10 percent of the Afghan population, and contest the U.S. backed Afghan government for another 20 percent. The report notes that the government has been adept at keeping control of the major cities in Afghanistan, while continue face a “resilient insurgency” in rural areas. The Pentagon also rated the U.S. backed Afghan Security Forces “promising but inconsistent” in their progress since the U.S. ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014. The Taliban now control more territory in Afghanistan than at any time since the U.S. effort began in 2001. The group has proven adept at surrounding and besieging major cities, while consolidating rural areas. The threat assessment of the report additionally highlights the many dangers emanating from Afghanistan. “Afghanistan faces a continuing threat from both the Afghan insurgency and extremist networks, including the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and to a lesser extent al Qaeda,” the report warns. Al-Qaida continues to provide “some limited support to insurgent groups targeting Afghan and coalition forces” President Barack Obama has committed nearly 9,000 troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2017, but they will largely remain secluded on major U.S. bases. Trump will have to decide what force level to maintain in Afghanistan, what rules of engagement the U.S. operates under, and how to deal with Pakistani government to Taliban elements. |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #5 Considering all the money and American lives wasted over there, I cannot help but wonder, who won the 9-11 war? I would just drop a couple or few high quality bombs there and call it a day. If the Pak Taliban tried to enter, I would tell the Pak government they will get the same treatment if they cannot get them under control. Frankly, I'm getting tired of all the money and lives wasted with nothing to show for it. Time to withdraw and let them suffer their fate. It seems like they don't want to get better. |
| Posted by: Seeking cure for ignorance 2016-12-22 13:28 |
| #4 What MK said, time to enlarge the helipads. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2016-12-22 09:49 |
| #3 When you don't fight wars to win but do something 'kinder and gentler' what do you expect from an opponent who will not quietly go away? Oh, and give them sanctuaries to retire to. Speak loudly and carry a small stick? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2016-12-22 08:46 |
| #2 The U.S. resolute support command estimates the Some things never change. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2016-12-22 07:59 |
| #1 Strangle their money and equipment and give the locals guns. |
| Posted by: gorb 2016-12-22 00:30 |