Democracy Arsenal

« Decoding Japan's Nuclear Crisis: What You Need to Know | Main | New Concerns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station »

March 15, 2011

More Good News From Afghanistan
Posted by Michael Cohen

Where does one begin detailing the tales of woe emanating from the war in Afghanistan?

According to the International Red Cross the situation for civilians in Afghanistan has become "untenable" and the problems seem to be particularly acute in the South which is where the lion's share of US-led fighting is occurring. And for all the 'progress' being made in places like Sangin (where 29 US soldiers have died and 75 wounded since October) and Helmand Province it now appears that Taliban fighters are slipping back into both places.

Things are not much better in Kunduz where on Friday the province police chief was murdered and over the weekend 36 people were killed at a police recruitment center - both by suicide bombers. In all more than 200 civilians have died in the last six weeks from Taliban attacks. The uptick in violence in the North probably shouldn't come as a huge surprise: as Candace Rondeaux of ICG mentions, " In many ways, the effect of the surge has been to push people northward towards areas where there is actually greater population density." I seem to think some people mentioning last year that this might happen.

And now even President Karzai thinks that NATO should be ending operations in Afghanistan after the killing on nine boys gathering firewood in Kunar province (an incendiary statement that of course he quickly backed away from after, one would imagine, some sort of US pressure).

It appears to be, ironically a view shared by our NATO allies, which led to this rather undiplomatic upbraiding by Secretary of Defense Gates in a recent trip to Brussels:

“Frankly, there is too much talk about leaving and not enough talk about getting the job done right,” Mr. Gates said. “Too much discussion of exit and not enough discussion about continuing the fight. Too much concern about when and how many troops might redeploy and not enough about what needs to be done before they leave.”

Perhaps Gates should deliver those words to the American people who seem to have the same view. According to a poll published today in the Washington Post, nearly two-thirds of Americans think the war is no longer worth fighting and want to see "substantial" troop reductions come July.

But alas perhaps all this bad news has it backwards - and the pessimistic public opinion is just missing the many signs of progress. Indeed, it now appears that we have reached a "turning point" in Afghanistan:

“This is a critical time for him (the Taliban) but I think he’s going to see the landscape dramatically different,” said US Army Colonel David Furness, in charge of troops in the key Helmand districts of Marjah, Garmsir and Narwar.

“He’s going to find us better positioned this year to deal with him than last and he’s going to pay for it.” US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, visiting Helmand on a two-day visit to Afghanistan last week.

However, as Josh Foust very nicely points this is not the first time we've hit a positive turning point in Afghanistan. It seems to be happening, oh I don't know, about once every year we've been in Afghanistan.

In fact, things are progressing so well, and the US military effort is making such progress, that ABC News is reporting that "Field commanders in Afghanistan are asking for more troops" and "some are openly challenging the wisdom of withdrawing any U.S. force by the July 11 date set by the administration."

So once again we've hit a point that we seem to hit every few weeks with Afghanistan; reems of data and anecdotal evidence suggests that the war in Afghanistan is going badly; that civilian death tolls have increased; that the Karzai government remains deeply alienated from the US/NATO effort; that our security gains may not be sustainable . . . and then confident predictions from the US military that we are on the cusp of turning the tide in the war.

In short, we have reality in Afghanistan - and then we have what our military and political leaders tell us.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451c04d69e2014e86b9d859970d

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference More Good News From Afghanistan:

Comments

thankS admin

Spot on. We did a video on this topic last year that emphasizes your point re: "turning points" and "progress."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkOH3lcDymo


Great thanks for sharing this article post.

When U.S. officials "always ignore" the remarks of Hamid Karzai--the 'Mayor of Kabul' installed by Uncle Sam--it's absolutely clear that the endless "Operation Enduring Fiefdom" has nothing to do with "bringing democracy" to the Afghan people. Instead, it's all about oil and gas pipelines and building permanent military bases to contain the next American adversary, China.

That's quite sensible thinking from you. I'm liking everything I'm getting here. More power!

"Operation Enduring Fiefdom" has nothing to do with "bringing democracy" to the Afghan people.

immorality in addition to mental insanity. Hardy's clothes art also clearly impresses a good obligatory sense in the simplicity connected with life that was exactly just what our ancestors and forefathers believed within and endured in situations past.

Operation Enduring Fiefdom" has nothing to do with "bringing democracy" to the Afghan people. Instead, it's all about oil and gas pipelines and building permanent military bases to contain the next American adversary, China.

Hi admin very nice and very successful In Turkey there is a portal site as a brother I would thank you too watch with admiration

I’m having a little issue I can’t subscribe your feed, I’m using google reader by the way

re" the remarks of Hamid Karzai--the 'Mayor

yeah, We did a video on this topic last year that emphasizes your point re: "turning points" and "progress."

Hi admin very nice and very successful In Turkey there is a portal site as a brother I would thank you too watch with admiration

hanks for blogging this, it was quite helpful and showed me tons

There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration.

Today the quantity is way, Thomas Sabo Australia has approved to turn into a analogue for best possible trinkets. Allow a certain injury such as The yuletide season, Evening regarding occasion or even Mothering Monday, youll acquisition a good admirable current to cater to those who work in accession to the big event. This approach provide may well on top of that Thomas Sabo Jewellery include concerning mating and also beatitude inside the complete festivity Aspects people today what person accuse involved with possibly not taking on and even agree to possibly not become knowledgeable to aces an experienced offer for Thomas Sabo products apron and kids. But Thomas Sabo collections you do not everytime take on that tender involved with let-down. A plentiful conform integrated conquer in no way admit to worry get the job done almsman have to the software or dead.

Thomas Sabo 2011 latest modifications are not alone start off reasonable for buffs connected with peace of mind. Once the seek this diffuse variety, most people apperceive to admission man or women for those who work in ones own ancestry and family history assemblage or even amphitheater associated with partners. That levels for talent you could see you might therefore elegant and investment any aberrant acquaintance involving adroitness that are going to get an reliable accurateness together with your ancestry and family history or simply buddies. It's been the particular arresting motion those people power which inturn takes rendered a vital re bodies through out.

Wow, ah well ! Thanks for sharing such good information.I long exposure.

peylaşım için teşekkür ederiz..

i agree your opinion, i love your article.

Your article is quite special

Thanks , I have just been looking for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now.

These all things are very informative and knowledgeable and i can get so many ideas form it.I like your sharing too much.You have done such a nice job.

Mizuno Corporation is a Japanese sports equipment manufacturer, which was established in 1906. Nowadays, Mizuno
develops so fast that it gets large numbers of loyal consumers, especially those sports lovers. For example, the players who love tennis, football, baseball, skiing, hiking and cycling can get satisfaction from Mizuno products. The company also has expanded its operation centres opening new factories in Germany, France, China PR, Scotland and Hong Kong. What's more, Mizuno products are selling very well in the overseas market. If necessary, please seek for much more related information. (xu)

Response to Beats By Dr.Dre Beatbox Review

Thank you for this article. That's all I can say. You organize the article very well and your writing ability is really wonderful.As an English learner, this post is a little too difficult for me to understand. I hope one day I could write such good articles. I hope my English will be better and better.

Thank your for sharing your wonderful article. I very agree with your views from here.

thanks for your sharing article, i like that.

Wow, ah well ! Thanks for sharing such good information.I long exposure.


The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with,never say a word,and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Comfortably, the article is really the sweetest on this precious topic.

Thank you for this article. That's all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something special.

CFL lighting
energy save lamp
spiral lamp
outdoor flood lights
decorative lamps
U bulb
lotus light
GU10 lamp
MR11 LED
server racks
server cabinets
control console
rack for server
wall mount cabinets
outdoor cabinets
open racks
network cabinets
42u racks
wholesale garment bag
flexible packaging
dog food bags
organic bags
tissue bag
electronics packaging
coffee bags
Underwear bags
plastic bags packaging
pu leather
shoulder bag leather
leather balls
synthetic leather
sofa recliner leather
pvc leather
mattress springs
mattress fabric
mattress tape
mattress thread
knitted fabrics
spring Mattress
Spring Clips
Mattress protector
Nonwoven Fabric
Printed fabric
Mattress Fabric
optical filters
laser filters
beam splitters
sapphire windows
penta prism
optical lense
fused silica
wholesale mlb jerseys
discount nfl jerseys
cheap soccer jersey
cheap nhl jerseys
discount designer handbags
discount mlb jerseys
cheap mlb jerseys
customized hockey jerseys
womens handbags
oakleys sunglasses
Cooler bags wholesale
Drawstring Bags
Cooler Bags
sports backpack
Buy Tote Bags
Plastic crusher
plastic extrusion machinery
board line
pvc pipe machine
pvc pipe manufacturing machine
plastic pipe machine
china plastic machine
marble suppliers
buy marble
granite suppliers
china stones
best granite
Marble Stone
marble suppliers
marble manufacturers
granite stone
granite marble
globe valve
Wafer Butterfly Valve
cast iron gate valve
Floating ball valve
Y Type Strainers
Flange
heat transfer press machine
flower plates
photo crystals
Sublimation Products
Sublimation textile
photo crystals
button making machine
China Torches
bamboo torches
Pot Packing Candle
Bamboo Torch
total bamboo torch
bamboo garden gazebo
wooden barrels
chinese tea bags
wholesale tea bags
blooming tea
jasmine flower tea
chinese white tea
white tea supplier
white tea exporter
plush animal toys
bird toys
buy dog toys
plush toys manufacturer
cartoon toys
bear plush toys
pet bird toys
pet cat toys
best cat toys
wholesale cat toys
Pet Toys
china baseball cap
Caps OEM
yellow baseball caps
pink baseball cap
cheap Bucket Hat
wholesale trucker hats
Running Cap
cheap Fedora Hats
Buy Fedora Hats
blank trucker hat
pink military hat
spring suppliers
Lamp holder
surge arresters
Lamp Light Fittings
lightning arresters
pin insulators
ceranuc lampholde
fuse cutout
plush animal toys
bird toys
buy dog toys
plush toys manufacturer
cartoon toys
bear plush toys
pet bird toys
pet cat toys
best cat toys
wholesale cat toys
Pet Toys
Easter toys
plush dog toys
dog toys
high power led wall washer
LED T5 Tube
LED T5 Tube Manufacturers
LED T5 Tube suppliers
LED T8 Tube Manufacturers
LED Tunnel light Manufacturers
LED Tunnel light
LED Wall Washer
led t8 tube light
aluminium profile
aluminium profiles
Anodized Aluminium Profile
aluminum solar panel frame
wood grained aluminum profile
Standard aluminium profile
aluminium Powder Coating
Standard aluminium profile
Sliding Aluminium Windows

蒸煮


炭火焼き


唐揚げ


鶏の唐揚げ


唐揚げ定食


豚肉 野菜


野菜加工品


おいしい鶏肉


冷凍 鶏肉


豚肉 加工


おいしい豚肉

Looks great feeling.

Great article.


realized exactly how many bad things had happened in Iraq, in Washington, and around the world in the last three you months. You don’t get the full scope

All of these studies, the real effect of attacking these things. We thank you for really good kind, and then choose from a variety of useful tips millions of people really want to find. Expressed gratitude for the sincere apology that we have

We have gotten many great comments from our customers and earn a good reputation in foreign makerts, more than 90% customers are satisfied with our products and service, till now our online members are beyond 80,000. As of right now, we Replica Handbags currently serve customers from over 18 countries, and we are still growing. We really hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.

I have added you in my social bookmark…and i am waiting for your next post.

Thank your for sharing your wonderful article. I very agree with your views from here.

After read the article.I have just one word to say,you are so brilliant.I like all of your article.Well done.


A real lot of useful info here!These are all great comments here. Very cool article.

After read the article.I have just one word to say,you are so brilliant.I like all of your article.Well done.

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them.

This weblog only allows comments from registered users. To comment, please Sign In.

Emeritus Contributors
Founder
Subscribe
Sign-up to receive a weekly digest of the latest posts from Democracy Arsenal.
Email: 
Powered by TypePad

Disclaimer

The opinions voiced on Democracy Arsenal are those of the individual authors and do not represent the views of any other organization or institution with which any author may be affiliated.
Read Terms of Use