Article

2010-02-20 Europe

Dutch government falls over Afghan mission

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Posted by tipper 2010-02-20 02:30|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 I would like to hear the impressions of folks who have worked with the Dutch Army in Afghanistan. When I served in Europe, they were generally considered the "party army". I believe at that time they were the only unionized army in the West.

Yup, they had their own labor union.

Posted by crosspatch 2010-02-20 02:39|| 2010-02-20 02:39|| Front Page Top

#2 The problem is rarely with the ranker, digger, soldier or Marine. In this case it is The Hague, which has become the first Muslim caliphate in Europe.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-02-20 04:15|| 2010-02-20 04:15|| Front Page Top

#3 Michael Yon syas their morale and abilities are top notch. It's their political leadership that's the problem.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2010-02-20 08:04|| 2010-02-20 08:04|| Front Page Top

#4 The big question is will this cause new elections, and if so, who will come out on top. Hopefully that would give Wilders' party enough clout to end his show trial.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-02-20 08:32|| 2010-02-20 08:32|| Front Page Top

#5 I have a girlfriend who just arrived over there as a consultant of some sort. I'll see if she has any thoughts on this.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-02-20 08:52|| 2010-02-20 08:52|| Front Page Top

#6 The Dutch I worked with in the past were top drawer, and from reading Yon, that hasn't changed. The "union" and long hair stuff is ancient history in terms of affecting the effectiveness. These guys are a lot like the Canadians, small units but punching well above their weight if given the opportunity.

Last I heard, they are pretty pissed about the limits placed on them by their politicians, and have figured ways around the rules that allow them to get into the fight.

I hope the politicians will let them CTM.

Posted by OldSpook 2010-02-20 09:01|| 2010-02-20 09:01|| Front Page Top

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