Posted on 02/29/2012 8:18:09 AM PST by combat_boots
The killing in Kabul on Saturday of two high-ranking American military officials - a colonel and a major - serving with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will prompt a paradigm shift in regional security. Afghanistan surges as still America's number one "hot spot", over-shadowing Syria and Iran.
If President Barack Obama thought it was time for the United States military to "pivot" toward the Asia-Pacific, it has been delusionary thinking. The Taliban retain a big say still in the upcoming campaign for Obama's re-election bid; the strategy of peace talks with the Taliban will need a close look.
The prospects of the United States establishing military bases in Afghanistan look very doubtful in the backdrop of the tsunami of anti-Americanism sweeping through Afghanistan. And, in
(Excerpt) Read more at atimes.com ...
> Afghanistan is the best argument for developing the glass business.
Yes, I understand uranium doped glass is quite beautiful.
Did they ever release the names and units of the deceased?
Yes, check DOD news releases.
If face recognition cameras were used to capture the crowds, the riots were very valuable. However, in regards to other areas of Afghanistan...
from Battle Rattle (Marine Times)posted by Dan Lamothe Feb 24:
U.S. soldiers burning Qurans at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan has prompted violence and protests across the country, leading to at least 20 deaths. Noticeably absent from the fray, however, is an area that has seen more than its share of violence — Helmand province.
Helmand, occupied by some 17,000 Marines, has avoided bloodshed tied to the controversy so far, Maj. Gen. John Toolan told me today during a phone interview. He attributed the success to a plan hatched by Mohammad Gulab Mangal, Helmand’s governor, to quickly respond with several respected mullahs to areas where anger over the burning of the Muslim holy book swelled.
The governor asked Toolan to set aside a helicopter in case it was needed to get to a protest before it boiled over into violence, the general said. In Lashkar Gah, Helmand’s capital, Mangal and the mullahs also met yesterday with a charged crowd of people at a soccer stadium. Toolan said the governor reiterated that it was ignorance, not hatred, that prompted the soldiers to burn the Qurans — and then the crowd dispersed.
“They basically walked out of the soccer stadium and went home,” Toolan said. “It’s really been the Afghan leadership that has stepped up and taken responsibility, and I’ve seen that happening so many times over the past several months. It’s almost gotten to the point when we talk about transition and we give over the reigns to the Afghans, they won’t give it back.”
Toolan also instructed his Marines to minimize operations today, he said. Muslims typically attend the mosque on Fridays, and the general was concerned inflamed rhetoric there combined with regularly patrolling could incite violence.
“Certainly there was a great deal of concern coming out of Kabul that this Koran burning could ignite a lot of demonstrations and riots throughout the area,” Toolan said. “A lot of the heated debates and discussions come out of the mosque, so we told our armed forces to minimize their operations and wherever possible, keep out of the populated centers. There’s no need to cause any stir.”
It’s an encouraging sign for a section of Afghanistan in which U.S. forces will be drawn down significantly this year. As reported here, Toolan said today he expects there will be about 7,000 Marines left in Afghanistan by October.”
Thank-you.
My God. Sixteen Army suicides in January. My God.
If this government is not allowing ALL military personnel in Afghanistan to carry a loaded firearm at their side it is guilty of treason against its people, period.
Yes, but remember, you will only get hazardous duty pay if you are fired upon.
I do not know the rating/pro-rating of riots, grenades, assassinations or torture after capture/release to the locals, etc. /ridicule
As ridiculous as it seems, that policy likely won’t end up with the two American Officers’ pay being retroactively changed. My guess is that the government will classify this is a religiously justified criminal act and not hostile fire. The very last thing I would do at this point is to allow a son, daughter or grandchild to join this military.
Now active duty need to worry about every meal. Also the Nationals handle their laundry service as well. The “perfume Princes” are "stratagizing" to lose.
And here I thought bleach was a regular food ingredient, like water.... /s
I don’t know. I did see one name, IIRC.
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