Abu Muqawama retains its autonomy and the views and beliefs expressed within the blog do not reflect those of CNAS.
Thom is probably right that the broad support a counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan enjoys among NATO defense ministers adds a little pressure on the president and his advisors. (Who, if you ask me to speculate, are probably very wisely using this moment of uncertainty over a continued U.S. role to put pressure on Afghanistan's civlilian leadership.)
But I want to highlight, for a moment, some very good work on Afghanistan being directed by a man who does not support the idea of a broader counterinsurgency strategy. Rory Stewart, Tyler Moselle and the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard are doing some serious work on Afghanistan policy, and this lecture by Michael Semple on what a good political officer needs to know about Helmand is well worth your time. (h/t GoA) I do not know who the political advisor is for Helmand Province, but the political advisor for the Marines there is a legend in the State Department and exactly the right person for the job.
I, meanwhile, am off to Tennessee to celebrate Mama Muqawama's 60th birthday, so posting will be light this weekend.
Well that's all very well and good for NATO to support a long term strategy they don't intend to meaningfully support.
The Duchy of Grand Fenwick fielded more archers for the invasion of America. At last a Western European country that knows how to win a war. Tully for NATO General Secretary!
It's just like the East Tennesee, man.
Yo, that political officer is from E.T as well, ain't he?
And I was worried about the Chicago mob taking over....
Joshua won't like this.
Nibras K. wins the Internets!!
http://talismangate.blogspot.com/2009/10/biden-monologues.html
Don't worry Big Joes got your back. And nobody messes with big Joe.
The lecture given by Michael Semple is far more than 'Talking Helmand', in fact he does not talk that much about Helmand. I noted several items: the four dead LeT in the Ganjal ANA ambush (where four US advisers died), the role of the UNAMA in the recent elections and the scathing review at the end of PRT's. He does use several PPT slides which are not seen.
Deliberation is important
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfVnWH_PCME&feature=related
Abu Visitor - that's a very funny link!
(The first comment is funny, too: "I thought this was a documentary for the first minute. But I am in the EU."
Haha! Sometimes youtube comments are quite clever. Sometimes.)
Afghan Taliban have released some messages about the disputed elections.
Taliban Statements on Elections
Everyone messes with Joe
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125632862358004497.html
@discouragement....
Ripley says get them out
"Although they have read the manuals on counterinsurgency and heard generals speak about how to defeat the Taliban, the reality has been bloody, painful and frustrating. The platoon knows there are at least 20 booby-trapped bombs on the high ground around the base. More than half the men have already been caught in blasts. One marine explosive expert was killed; others suffered broken legs and amputated feet. Three have survived two explosions and come back to fight again. "
"Later, a marine intelligence officer said the drug economy and the feudal system made the strategy of winning hearts and minds extremely complex. As drug producers, men such as Khan had a “working relationship with the Taliban”.
I am not seeing a win here. I want to back the Pope and CNAS, etc both for reasons of judgment (they have done the diligence) and selfishness (I don't want NYC/NJ hit again and it holds them down). But maybe the castles in the wilderness and let the rest of them EAT FUCKING NAPALM BITCHES isn't so bad.
You Liberals need to learn. We didn't fail in Afghanistan, they did and insist on nothing but. As long as their dysfunctions were contained OK. You want to blow up my town cuz the tribal raiders...found Airplanes tickets.
I think we finally have the breakthrough we have all been looking for regarding AM's beard. Look at the second row after the fair & balanced Democracy Now.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=andrew+exum&FORM=BVFD
Mercy me, Jeremy! The text of the "Afghan Taliban" statement sounds like a conglomeration of views from Small Wars Journal, although with information specific to the interests of the people in the locale (of great interest to me, also: roads intended for use only for military purposes, or for use only by members of certain 'castes'?). Is it just me, or does it seem a bit more respectful than the tone present on most sites within the NATO countries which comment on the effort ( code named what? Some grand sequence of words that bring to mind 1984, as I recall.)
Oh, the dissonance!
Elf: If you find it easy to tell the difference between liberals, conservatives, libertarians, etc. I wish you would give me some pointers. Is there a code?
747
p.s.: I hope you all will consider the likely consequences of congregating personnel in urban areas, when '"the enemy' has been presented with what could be a considered a standard of warfare: "walk[ing] through walls." The 'enemy' hasn't embraced Dahiyeh, yet. I'm counting on my leaders not to give them reason to do so.
Saint Crispin's Day was yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-yZNMWFqvM&feature=player_
@visitor but not a troll
After watching that I feel like running out and kicking a French guy right in the nuts.
I think Peter Sellers wins this battle.
Afghan Fury at [alledged] Koran Burning Claims. By Abdullah Obaidi in Wardak
The incident that sparked the unrest allegedly occurred on October 15, during a routine patrol by US forces near Khwajagan village. An American tank hit a mine, say villagers, and soldiers began a house-to-house search for insurgents. Not finding anyone, they allegedly burned copies of the Koran they found in one of the houses they had raided. “The soldiers went to Khwaja Fazlurahman’s house,” said Khwaja Qandol, a resident of the village. “There were only women there at the time. When they did not find anybody, they took six copies of the Koran from the bookcase and burned them in the centre of the room.” According to Qandol, the women complained to the rest of the villagers, who went to the house and saw the burned Korans. This version of events is strongly disputed by US forces, who hint that the Taleban may have staged the incident to provoke anti-American sentiment in the population.
“There was no incident in which ISAF forces burned Korans in Wardak,” said Captain Elizabeth Mathias, from the US Forces-Afghanistan public affairs office. “ISAF and Afghan forces conducted an investigation of the incident and determined that the ‘enemies of Afghanistan’, as reported by local authorities, were responsible for the burning.” But Shahidullah Shahid, spokesman for the governor of Wardak, pointed the finger at local hooligans rather than insurgents. “Holy Korans have been burned in [Khwajagan],” he told IWPR. “But it was not the American forces. It was drug addicts from that village, who have since run away.”
According to Shahid, the governor’s office was launching an investigation into the incident. “Americans respect our religion and culture,” he insisted. “Last week, the US forces provided dozens of copies of the Holy Koran as well as prayer cloths to the local council in Jalrez district.” According to Captain Mathias, a local mullah working with the Afghan National Army unit provided some assistance by addressing the public in Wardak. “In his comments, the mullah described how the Taleban has used this tactic of burning the Holy Koran then blaming international forces to inflame the public in several provinces,” she said. “[The mullah also] said that these actions disrespect Islam and Afghanistan.”
But there is no getting away from the protests that have now hit five provinces, with no end in sight. Thats clears things up then- Chinese whispers or devious Talib PSYOPS?
@135 Visitor,
The differences: OMG I can but try ....
These are ideological and philosophical and cross party lines routinely. I am going to go with the current versions as they tend to change over time.
Liberals - Mildly social democratic, similar to the more moderate Labour. Believe in the Welfare State, tend to be less harsh on crime, watchful of police, intelligence, military. Union friendly and partners with them. Believe in statist solutions. Not overtly hostile to capitalism or business, just believe they must be closely regulated. Center left. Generally the Democratic Party. Friend of the poor and downtrodden whom they believe govt must help. Code words = The "poor", Americans want [everything] "reformed". "The American People want [insert here].
Conservatives - believe in traditional values, strong on defense, tough on crime. Don't trust or believe in government in general although they grudgingly acknowledge limited govt as a necessary evil. Center Right. Would self describe as "standing athwart History yelling Stop!". History means the progressives. Generally the base of the Republican party. Code words = Liberty. Personal Responsibility. Strong Defense. Tough on crime.
Progressives - hard left, would basically socialize medicine and everything else. Loath the private sector (except of course for their "socially conscious" businesses). Basically Marxists. Code words - "social justice", "Green", "Social Responsibilty", "inculcate". Red Diaper trust fund babies. It's so nice to be Communist when you've got yours. Believe that History is a force moving us all towards establishing a Kingdom of [sic - Heaven] on this earth. Ideal society is Huxley's brave new world.
Libertarians - believe in a classical interpretation of the Constitution and a return to the original bounds of the Federal govt, and very limited actions and duties of govt. This includes private morality matters such as drugs and sexual behavior (as long as you do not harm others). We self regulate, the govt prevents the use of force by outside threats or from each other. The govt tends to National Defense, the post service (although they don't like the post office), minimal police functions (best kept local) and roads. That's it. Code word = Liberty.
Politicians: Core belief: I must gain and remain in office no matter what it takes (from others). That's it.
Code words = I will lower your taxes, increase your benefits, spend on any and all projects, feel your pain, be your doctor, help the small business person, I'm from the govt and here to help.
Actions - they will denounce as villains those whom they plan to dine with (and on) and help ordinary Americans....
Help= I'll hold you down while my rich villainous friends and class mates arse fuck you and make you pay for it.
I hope this clarifies things.
Another good piece to read on Afghanistan is this one, by the former U.S. Ambassador to the country:
http://blog.psaonline.org/2009/10/21/afghanistan-still-wrong-after-all-t...
More dark rumours: Helicopter Rumour Refuses to Die. By Ahmad Kawoosh in Mazar-e-Sharif. Doesn't say what colour the choppers are, gotta be black though.
@Visitor 135,
Polling generally shows Americans breakdown ideologically center right. Gallup has it about 40% of the American people are conservative in their views, 36% moderate, 20% Liberal.
Poll Breakdown
This basically lines up with other polls. By party the Repubs are overwhelmingly Conservative (72%) and about 24% Moderate. 3-4% Liberal.
Democrats tend to be about 22% Conservative, 39% Moderate, 37% Liberal.
Independents (not registered as either party) 35% Conservative, 43% Moderate, 18% Liberal.
It took me a while and several sitting to get through all of the lecture, but that was really good, so a belated thanks for bringing it to our attention. If anyone makes it down this far in the comments, I really encourage you to watch the whole thing.
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