Afghanistan Off the Beaten Path

A very interesting vid from Al Jazeera, which I found in a post at The Long War Journal:



The problem posed by the Pakistan frontier is implicit in the video: it is a line behind which the Taliban can hide whenever they want to. This matter must be addressed, and until it is, it may be impossible for the US to win, but not impossible for the Taliban to win.

Think about that last statement and its ramifications.

Meanwhile, from elsewhere off the beaten path:

An article from last year points out how a problem that has plagued US and NATO "peacekeeping" operations in Europe appears to be having a negative impact in Afghanistan, as well. While many of our troops are being deprived of the comforts of home (to put it mildly), there are US government employees and contractors who are finding ways to enjoy their assignment in Afghanistan - trafficked women are providing (willingly? or not?) certain services in Kabul. For details, see Illicit sex and boozing by civilian U.S. contractors and officials in Afghanistan undermining mission, November 15, 2009.

Also from Kabul Press (September 12, 2010), concerns that the US and NATO logistic network for less-than-critical supplies is very vulnerable to Taliban interdiction - supposedly so much so that the Taliban could force us out within a month. (The concern is noted, but I wonder if it is really that critical.)

A more recent (September 26, 2010) article entitled Afghan Girl Killed by Reckless U.S. Mortar Fire draws some big conclusions from a recent incident:

A gunman fired a few cents worth of AK-47 rounds at the U.S. Marines and in response the Marines probably fired $10,000.00 in mortar rounds that all missed their target, yet killed an innocent. This incident could sum up the entire Afghan war and helps explain why American efforts have largely failed.

Finally, Kabul Press has an article entitled Why you are silent about war crimes, massacres and crimes against humanity committed by the Taliban in Afghanistan?, dated September 12, 2010, calling on the world to complain about Taliban atrocities.

Indeed, every stray mortar round shot by US forces is fair game, every stray bullet fired by an IDF soldier is fair game - why indeed the silence about systematic atrocities on the other side?