Helmand, Oh Helmand Posted by Michael Cohen

Today in the LA Times we have an example of finer moments in journalistic gullibility. Consider this story on the impending Marine offensive into Marja, a key population center in Helmand Province (why the US military is going out of its way to preview its tactical plans for the Taliban is for a whole other conversation).

The U.S. Marines and Afghan army plan a massive assault on Taliban fighters in Marja, the last community under Taliban control in a sprawling, lawless region once dominated by the insurgency, a top Marine said Wednesday.

"We are going to gain control," Col. George "Slam" Amland told reporters. "We are going to alter the ecosystem considerably."

Ok, but then I read this:

"This is a big leap for the government of Afghanistan," he said.

Marine and NATO leaders want Helmand province to be a showpiece of the "clear, hold, build and transition" counterinsurgency strategy, in which Taliban fighters are forced out of a region and then a "civilian surge" begins to rebuild war-ravaged communities and bolster confidence of Afghan villagers in their provincial and national governments.

While the military part of the operation is the most dramatic, the actions of U.S. civilian employees, including from the U.S. Agency for International Development and Agriculture Department, will be even more significant, he said. The Afghan government is ready to install local officials to begin reopening schools and clinics and polling residents about what they want their government to do.

The goal, Amland said, is to spread to Marja the "kinds of success" seen in other communities once the Taliban were ousted. In the Nawa district of the province, for example, the marketplace reopened, irrigation canal clearing projects started, and a local community council was established once the Taliban fled.

By ousting Taliban from control of Marja, U.S. , NATO and Afghan officials hope to persuade rank-and-file, non-jihadist fighters -- what Amland called "lunch-bucket $5 a-day Taliban" -- to quit fighting and decide to see if the Afghan government can provide a better life for its citizens.

In the interim, the U.S. plans a "cash for work" plan to give jobs to the unemployed of Helmand province, including young men who may have joined the Taliban as an economic necessity.

It's almost like reading a DoD press release. Look, I'm quite sure that folks "want" this operation to prove the success of a "clear, hold and build" strategy but then again I want to play starting shortstop for the Boston Red Sox - doesn't mean it's going to happen.

As Josh Foust points out, we've seen 5 previous "surges" into Helmand with little to no success - what reason is there to believe that things have changed now? Is it because every US soldier and officer has memorized FM 3-24? And even if they did, the very idea that the Afghan government is "ready to install local officials to begin reopening schools and clinics" and will do this effectively just seems ludicrous. Last summer, when the Marines last went into Helmand, they were accompanied by what can best be described as trifling support from the Afghan Army - and pretty much no Afghan government support or a US civilian surge. What has changed in the past 6 months for people to believe that this surge will be different?

This is not to mention the fact the Taliban seem to be doing a very effective job at what the New York Times describes as "mixing modern weapons with ancient signaling techniques," and "have developed the habits and tactics to evade capture and to disrupt American and Afghan operations, all while containing risks to their ranks." Of course it also helps when you have that unpatrolled Pakistani border to slip over when need be.

Even if it made strategic sense to try and pacify Helmand - and I continue to believe that it does not - why are we doing this now? Why aren't we waiting until more of the US surge capacity is in country; why don't we wait until the Afghan military is better able to accompany the US on missions like this one?

What is perhaps so frustrating about this fixation with Helmand is that it appears to directly contradict President Obama's guidance to General McChrystal that he shouldn't send troops to places that can't potentially be handed over to the Afghan security services in 18 months. 

Foust thinks this has something to do with opium, which makes sense, but whatever the reason, trying to clear, hold and build in a region that is inhospitable to ISAF and Karzai government - when you have a civilian leadership that has made clear there is a timeline for withdrawal in place -- just makes very little sense.

Comments

[cheap r4i card]

Having just returned from a quick mission to the area around the Kajaki Dam, I can say that the locals there think that the security of the dam itself is key to the area’s future. Not sayint they’re right, but that’s what they think.

[pallet racking]

pallet racking china
sales@racking-shelving.com

http://www.t-racking.com
http://www.racking-shelving.com
http://www.cold-store-equipment.com

[Tyler Cook]

As far as pallet racking from China goes;
We had some beams that did not contain enough steel to be magnetic. You need to go with American made items from companies like Edwards Storage. http://www.edwardsstorage.com

[rado watches]

If you have PANERAI Watches , I still have my idea to achieve.

[sesli sohbet]

Thank You Editors..sesli sohbet sesli chat

[shelving]

We all know these years china pallet racking in china develop very fast, now the design capacity of racking is very strong in china.
You can see every kind of china racking in china, includingDrive in racking,
cantilever racking, shelving,Longspan shelving, dexion racking,. We also have very experienced engineer to do the design and instlaation job.

as a whole contractor for refrigeration equipment, design, manufacturing, installation of cold store

[ray ban 2010 sunglasses]

Yellow lens of Ray ban wayfarer can 100% filter UV, allowing infrared and 83% visible light through the lens.

Its greatest feature is that you can filter the sun's most dazzling blue.

Sunlight through the atmosphere, the most performance is the blue light, which is why you see the sky is blue. Yellow lens filters blue light, the natural scenery can be seen more clearly. So driving with a yellow lens Ray ban 2010 sunglasses, you can more clearly see from the vehicle.

Ray ban sunglasses sale

ray ban 2010 sunglasses sale

ray ban sunglasses sale

ray ban wayfarer message from http://www.eyewear-rayban.com

[stianless steel rings]

We don't take the luxury route, just playing crazy exaggeration and assertive personality. In addition we break the traditional and innovative stainless steel bracelet, stainless steel rings and so on. Our stainless steel jewelry has great stage effects. The color, texture and design are very fashion. The breakthrough in molding achieves the strong sense of art stainless steel jewelry. It experiences a foreign land and customs, tracking the trend of the international fashion accessories. Our company welcomes the large stainless steel jewelry wholesalers to e-mail consultation.
E-mail: sus360@hotmail.com
website: http://www.sus360.com

[chanel handbags]

Chanel Handbags are woman’s dream come true.

Chanel, a fashion name that has become synonymous with femininity since 100 years, is on the must-have list of every fashion-conscious woman.? And we bring these must-have Chanel Handbags at never before discounts, just for you.

It is only when you come across an Chanel New Arrivals, do you realize the power of her words.? Chanel handbags are crafted not just to be trendy, but trend-setting.? Hardly has lived a celebrity who has not been seen carrying a Chanel handbag under her arm; such has the influence of Chanel handbags as a fashion statement.

Chanel handbags have been so popular in the elite classes of the society, that their pricing is usually prohibitive for everyone else.? Discount Chanel handbags are really difficult to come across, but today should be your lucky day.? We bring you a superb unbeatable range of Chanel Flap bags, all at fantastic discounts.? With us, you have an incredible chance to buy your favorite Chanel handbags at rock bottom prices!

Chanel Handbags have always been at the forefront of luxury and style.? The Chanel classic quilted leather handbags and its reinventions have ruled fashion since forever.? Chanel handbags have remained extremely popular as they continue to merge evolving modern trends with the class and simplicity of its original avatar.

An Chanel 2008 Collection and Chanel 2009 Collection single handedly enhances the look you are carrying.? The reason you would buy a Chanel handbag is own a bag that mingles with your charm and intensifies it with its inherent simplicity.? If you have owned an authentic Chanel handbag before, you know what we are talking about.? If you are one of the unlucky people who haven’t yet gotten a chance to own an Chanel Cambon, now is your chance to shop for an authentic Chanel handbag and discover its ability to transform your look completely.

Buy Chanel handbags with us, and get fabulous discounts which you will never get at your favorite store.? We offer cheap authentic Chanel handbags and they are all up for grabs!

[huo638671]

During each day, up to a hand wearing a (worn on the ring finger or little finger, never to be worn on links of london saleother fingers, if the hands have been wearing a wedding ring or engagement ring, the hand would not have worn anything else), links of london sale can be put on watch, pearl bracelet (or other beads of the bracelet).

[sesli sohbet]

Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

seslisohbet siteleri arasında ekol bir adres sestonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin sestonum 'tıklayınız..! seslisohbet ve seslichat adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak seslisohbet yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

sestonum
seslichat
seslisohbet

[wholesale cheap lingerie]

Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.

[QodesQoM]

Türkiyenin ilk Hiphop Sitesi için tıkla -> Hiphop <-
Gekko G Fan Sitesi için tıkla -> Gekko G <-
Mask Animasyon sitesi için tıkla -> Mask animasyon <-

[collections dvd]

DUKES OF HAZZARD
, is bringing the possibility of low-cost, professional-grade DUKES OF HAZZARD DVD
authoring to Linux. Although it doesn't yet support all the features of the DUKES OF HAZZARD DVD COLLECTION
specification.

[Cheap Replica Breitling watches]

Foust thinks this has something to do with opium, which makes sense, but whatever the reason

[John Morris]

Thank you very good and a healthy writing. I will definitely keep track of posts and the occasional visit. Looking forward to reading your next post.

[chanel handbags]

the United States.
chanel
Each American dollar roughly breaks down like this: 42 cents for disaster assistance, 33 cents for U.S. military aid, nine cents for food, nine cents to tgucciransport the food, five cents for paying Haitian survivors for recoverhermes y efforts, just less than one cent to the Haitian government, and about louis vuitton half a cent to the Dominican Republic.
designer
Is it me or is this a nonstory? I would not expect, that in an emergency, the assistance money would to the government of Haiti during the immediate response. A government that had limited capabilities before the tragic ldesigner handbagsoss of personel, facilities, and even structures. This seems obvious. Yes, eventually, money should be invested in the Haitian go

[wallpapers]

You are right. They aren't having enough of an effect. We probably should use a lot more.
Abstract Wallpapers or it:
Abstract Wallpapers 1600x1200 or it:
Abstract,Vectors,DigitalArt

[FFXIV GIL]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[porno izle]

Manufacture Hydraulic Tools,Such as crimping tool,cable cutter,pipe bender,gear puller and hand pumps.

[porno]

sevmezsen beni severler seni sikis izle uzun uzuma baka baka agarirmis porno sakla samani gelir zamani porno yemen ellerinde halim cok guzel cilt bakimi sacmalasamda yorum aq iste ne olmus gulucuk

[replica designer handbags]

Such as crimping tool,cable cutter,pipe bender,gear puller and hand pumps.

[explosion proof light]

Utterly brilliant essay. Keep up the good work! Only we can do.

[designer handbags]

Just want to say what a great blog you got here!I've been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!

[white iphone 4]

White iphone 4 Conversion Kit with impressive figure can easily be the focus of the crowd. I really want to get one!

[Sohbet Arkadaslik]

Helmand oh helmand nice..

[Cách nhiệt]

Thanks for the post. There are several things I need to know via this discussion.

[冷夜]

Having just returned from a quick mission to the area around the Kajaki Dam, I c

[knockoff handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, 219704, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM

[motorlu panjur]

Your article really did turn the light on for me as far as this issue goes. Nevertheless there is one issue I am not necessarily too comfy with so whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the main theme of your issue, permit me see exactly what all the rest of the subscribers have to say.Nicely done.

[seks shop]

Thanks for the post

[pembe maske]

I would not expect, that in an emergency, the assistance money would to the government of Haiti during the immediate response. A government that had limited capabilities before the tragic ldesigner handbagsoss of personel, facilities, and even structures.

[ドラゴンネスト RMT]

Well, the Dog Days of Summer are upon us.TERA RMT
And unlike in the C9 RMT
recent past, this summer we have seen a strange chemical substance (dihydrogen monoxide) falling from the sky.

For those who were asleep in Chemistry GE

RMT
class: that would be RAIN. TheFW RMT
political forces took note of the amount of