Article

2008-10-29 Afghanistan

Afghanistan troop buildup could more than double

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Posted by tu3031 2008-10-29 14:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 We have learned in Iraq that if we don't send enough people to protect the locals from the terrorists, they don't have a choice - they will cooperate with the terrorists or be killed, usually in a gruesome fashion. The Mongols had a cost-effective method for dealing with insurgencies - they killed the entire town. Given modern sensitivities, we'll have to make do with protecting/walling off the local population from any terrorists among them. That requires manpower.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2008-10-29 14:35|| http://timurileng.blogspot.com]">[http://timurileng.blogspot.com] 2008-10-29 14:35|| Front Page Top

#2 Afghanistan is a very different place than Iraq. The same policies will not work as well their, if at all. Petraeus knows this and will do something different. I suspect he also knows what happened to Elphinstone.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-10-29 14:42|| 2008-10-29 14:42|| Front Page Top

#3 The Mongols had a cost-effective method for dealing with insurgencies - they killed the entire town.

I'm not necessarily either for or against that approach, but I do believe we need to make those hosting the Taliban, willingly or not, very uncomfortable. I'd like us, just once, to use a massive display of airpower, and completely wipe out a Taliban "village", followed by leaflet drops stating that those cooperating with the Taliban can expect more of the same. Explain to them that tribal behavior is ok up to a point, but it doesn't do much good when we wipe out your entire tribe and a few of the neighbors, just for good measure. We're failing because we haven't made these people more afraid of us than they are of the Taliban. Let them see the "good" side after they fully understand we're not going to put up with any crap, including anything that harms our people.

Given modern sensitivities

"Modern sensitivities" need to be shoved where they belong - DEEP within the sewers. Preferably by axehandle across the bridge of the nose of those overly "sensitive". You don't win wars by being nice. You win wars by making the other guy so terrified of you he quits fighting. Ask Japan, circa 1945.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2008-10-29 14:44|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2008-10-29 14:44|| Front Page Top

#4

Do you mean ARCLIGHT?

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-10-29 14:48|| 2008-10-29 14:48|| Front Page Top

#5 Afghanistan is the real quagmire. Too tribal, too remote, too landlocked (with re-supply route through enemy territory). We are not going to turn these people in any kind of reasonable time frame. The Euros are not going to be much help either. Lets get out, but leave with a very clear message that if bad things happen to our people because of something that originated there, then we put OP's strategy into play...on more than one village.

Posted by remoteman 2008-10-29 14:53|| 2008-10-29 14:53|| Front Page Top

#6 Petraeus knows this and will do something different.

Scalp bounty and smallpox blankets.

Posted by ed 2008-10-29 17:44|| 2008-10-29 17:44|| Front Page Top

#7 Please quit passing on the "smallpox blankets" bullshit. <:-(

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-10-29 19:06|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-10-29 19:06|| Front Page Top

#8 Gee, should I have added a smiley face to preempt your frowny face? The gist of the matter is Pontiac's Rebellion was defeated with a minimum of wasted British and colonial lives and resources. Not so fortunate for the Indians. Frontier wars were extremely brutal.

And no, Gen. Amherst did not distribute the infected blankets, though he did discuss the possibility.

Posted by ed 2008-10-29 19:32|| 2008-10-29 19:32|| Front Page Top

#9 Frontier wars were extremely brutal.

On both sides. Note that it wasn't European forces who scalped captives.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2008-10-29 19:54|| http://timurileng.blogspot.com]">[http://timurileng.blogspot.com] 2008-10-29 19:54|| Front Page Top

#10 Not so.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-10-29 21:08|| 2008-10-29 21:08|| Front Page Top

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