Petraeus clarifies rules on Afghan air strikes (reassures troops on 'rules' to call for air strikes)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The new commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan issued a directive on Wednesday that could facilitate use of air strikes but also called on troops to do everything possible to avoid putting civilians at risk.

General David Petraeus, who took command of the nine-year-old war in Afghanistan in July, did not rewrite the rules guiding the use of force in his new "tactical directive."

But U.S. officials said he clarified them in a way that may address concerns that some troops -- erring on the side of caution -- had avoided calling in air power against Taliban insurgents, even when it was appropriate to do so.

Critics in Congress had said restrictions, perceived or not, had put U.S. forces at unnecessary risk in an effort to protect civilians from harm.

Petraeus made clear that an overly strict interpretation of his rules was not allowed, saying: "Subordinate commanders are not authorized to further restrict this guidance without my approval."

Petraeus, an architect of the counter-insurgency strategy guiding U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, also called for a redoubling of efforts to protect civilians.

"Every Afghan civilian death diminishes our cause," Petraeus wrote, according to excerpts from a declassified version released by the NATO-led force.

"If we use excessive force or operate contrary to our counterinsurgency principles, tactical victories may prove to be strategic setbacks."

Civilian deaths caused by foreign forces are a major source of friction between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Western backers.

4 June 1940

“I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.

The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

Churchill

Today

“Victory is not an option”
So say one so say we all..

America’s Modern Flag Officers

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