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2008-05-14 Afghanistan

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Posted by ed 2008-05-14 09:19|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 In other words, they have run out of bodies and are scraping the bottom of the man-power barrel. Now if we can keep the tribal leaders on the government side, we can chalk up a win in Afghanistan. Long road still ahead, but looking better.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2008-05-14 09:26|| 2008-05-14 09:26|| Front Page Top

#2 semi-quagmire

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-05-14 10:01|| 2008-05-14 10:01|| Front Page Top

#3 No doubt global warming is at fault here.

Posted by wxjames 2008-05-14 10:11|| 2008-05-14 10:11|| Front Page Top

#4 I guess the Brutal Afghan Winter must've been especially brutal this year.

Posted by Mike 2008-05-14 10:17|| 2008-05-14 10:17|| Front Page Top

#5 OK - global warming, brutal afghan winter, semi-quagmire - check. What are we missing - apartheid, Israel, insufficient diversity, gay rights, Gary Condit (remember him, summer of '01), drug abuse, racial profiling, the homeless?

Other than winning a war or battle, what could be causing this temporary/illusory/fragile/spurious/artificial/questionable success in Afghanistan?

Posted by Goober Jineting3229 2008-05-14 11:06|| 2008-05-14 11:06|| Front Page Top

#6 Last year, 8,000 people died in Taliban violence. So far this year, the death toll is 1,200, indicating casualties for the year will be about half what they were last year. This year, a higher proportion of the dead are Taliban and al Qaeda, and a lower proportion civilians.

That's funny, I thought most of the 8,000 dead last year were Talibunnies?

The Taliban Spring Offensive is not fast and it's not slow, it's half fast.

They still seem to be good at killing teachers and burning schools. Like riding a bicycle, I guess some skills just stay with you.

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-05-14 11:58|| 2008-05-14 11:58|| Front Page Top

#7 Long ago it was time to take the battle to the Pakistani madrassas. That is, to start internecine battles between various factions. Even going so far as to manufacture massacres, to get them to start cutting each other's throats.

Posted by Anonymoose 2008-05-14 12:02|| 2008-05-14 12:02|| Front Page Top

#8 This year, a higher proportion of the dead are Taliban and al Qaeda, and a lower proportion civilians.

That's funny, I thought most of the 8,000 dead last year were Talibunnies?

It seems this year the civilians aren't willing to claim Taliban dead as visiting cousins, albeit terribly well-armed for a stroll in the garden.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-05-14 13:47|| 2008-05-14 13:47|| Front Page Top

#9 The Taliban had a hard winter this year. In past years they could hole up in Pakistan while they accumulated their weapons and trained for the coming offensive. This winter they were kept occupied and constantly on the move. By the time Spring came, they were tired, hungry, and reduced somewhat in number. They were in no shape to launch any large "Spring offensive". In fact, their political leaders were swept out of what offices they held and there is evidence that the population is turning against them in the "sanctuary" of Pakistan.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-05-14 17:04|| 2008-05-14 17:04|| Front Page Top

#10 Taliban Moving At Half Speed This Year

Help I've fallen and I can't get it up!

Posted by Talibunny">Talibunny 2008-05-14 23:38|| 2008-05-14 23:38|| Front Page Top

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