Afghanistan

[Remiel]

You mean, compared to the Right's perpetual ignorance of there being a problem?

[ScottSA]

You mean, compared to the Right's perpetual ignorance of there being a problem?

Well, it seems to me that the fact there are troops there in the first place is somewhat of an indication that the right thinks there's a problem, don't you think?

[Remiel]

Tsk, tsk. There is never only one problem. Problems have more problems. Solutions have problems. The Americans problem is that once they think they have a solution, they are inclined to be blind to their solution's problems, which keeps them from looking for a better solution.

[ScottSA]

Tsk, tsk. There is never only one problem. Problems have more problems. Solutions have problems. The Americans problem is that once they think they have a solution, they are inclined to be blind to their solution's problems, which keeps them from looking for a better solution.

I used the singular because you used the singular. But tell me, how does the left's solution of staying home and blaming the right address the multiple problems? I mean aside from throwing out the usual mantras of "poverty-ignorance-racism-education-yada-yada"? You mentioned the tribal regions of Pakistan? What's your solution? Run away? Bomb them till they glow?

[jdobbin]

No, I cited General Giap, the highest ranking General in the NVA as the one who said it.

Underlying problems have a habit of going away when they have their weapons taken away from them or when the cost of being an underlying problem is higher than the benefits of not being an underlying problem. This is something the left never seems to get. This and the perpetual misidentification of the problems...

You cited him but I see no actual link for Giáp in this context.

As for the rest of your statement, it sounds like O'Connor crossing his fingers. What kind of strategy is that?

Quite a few provinces of Afghanistan are controlled by the Taliban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6558903.stm

General Mohamad Zahir Azimi, spokesman for the ministry of defence, confirms that large parts of Helmand, Zabul, Uruzgan and Kandahar are now working to the orders of the Taleban.

He says they are now moving towards the capital, Kabul, with suicide bombings and attacks around the outer circles of the city, mainly targeting westerners, becoming a regular feature.

Pakistan continues to be a threat but now so is Iran.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/blogs/news_bl...nd_in_afgha.htm

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told defense writers this morning that there is evidence that weapons from Iran -- in addition to being used in Iraq -- are being intercepted in Afghanistan as well, reports senior editor Anna Mulrine.

"It's not clear which Iranian entity is responsible," he said, "but we have intercepted weapons headed for the Taliban that were made in Iran."

I take little comfort in your supreme confidence in the success of the mission long term.

[jdobbin]

Canadian soldier killed in accident in Afghanistan.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/04/18/soldier-death.html

A Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan Wednesday when he fell while climbing a communications tower.

Colonel Mike Cessford said the soldier, who was a member of Canada's special forces, was not working as part of an ongoing operation at the time of the fall in Kandahar.

The soldier's death is being described as "non-combat" related.

It doesn't make the death any easier but it does emphasize then even without the challenges of combat, the work can be quite dangerous.

[ScottSA]

No, I cited General Giap, the highest ranking General in the NVA as the one who said it.

Underlying problems have a habit of going away when they have their weapons taken away from them or when the cost of being an underlying problem is higher than the benefits of not being an underlying problem. This is something the left never seems to get. This and the perpetual misidentification of the problems...

You cited him but I see no actual link for Giáp in this context.

Pick one. I can supply many more.

"I would like to thank them", said General Vo Nguyen Giap, now 93, without mentioning Kerry by name. "Any forcesthat wish to impose their will on other nations will surely fail", he added.

Reuters, which first reported Giap's comments, suggested that the former enemy general was mindful of Kerry's role in leading some of the highest profile anti-war protests of the entire Vietnam War.

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:xFheqh...clnk&cd=3&gl=ca

Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, the general who led North Vietnamese forces during the war had a warm place in his heart for his allies in America. He recently announced "I would like to thank them"[1] speaking of the American antiwar movement. A colonel, Bui Tin, who served under Giap said that the actions of his antiwar allies were “essential to our strategy"[2].

https://www2.blogger.com/login.g?d=http%3A%...lse&skipll=true

In his 1985 memoir about the war, Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap wrote that if it weren't for organizations like Kerry's Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Hanoi would have surrendered to the U.S

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:3IHg9R...clnk&cd=1&gl=ca

[jdobbin]

Pick one. I can supply many more.

Do you have one that isn't from a Republican blog?

Most say that Ollie North was the one who is the source of Giap's comments.

Also, I have not seen independent confirmation from the political leadership of Vietnam that they planned on surrendering.

[madmax]

Also, I have not seen independent confirmation from the political leadership of Vietnam that they planned on surrendering.

This is just a blurr, to change the discussion away from Afghanistan.

I would wait for Army Guy, Weaponeer, or and the handful of others that have been in Afghanistan to reply.

Where's Jean Poutine? I could follow his arguments and sources.

[Army Guy]

on which piont there seems to be so many of them.

[madmax]

on which piont there seems to be so many of them.

Good to hear from you. I know we disagree often enough, regardless, I would like to get your opinion on a few things currently going on.

Is the entire operation scheduled to end in 2009 or just the current mission?

Is it to early to tell if the mission should be extended past 2009?

Should the mission morph into some other activity past 2009 or even before this date?

What is the endgame for the current mission, should Pakistan continue to allow Jihadists to resupply and cross back into Afghanistan every spring?

Is the aid getting through today?

Are our forces well equiped for all the possibilities they encounter under the 3 block strategy?

Thanks in advance. Don't want to make you too busy.

Btw, does anyone know if Weaponer has internet access still?

[Army Guy]

Good to hear from you. I know we disagree often enough, regardless, I would like to get your opinion on a few things currently going on.

It's good to hear from you as well, i although we disagree often i do respect your opinions...

Is the entire operation scheduled to end in 2009 or just the current mission?

The operation will contine as well as the mission. what will end in 2009 is our commitment, another country will have to be found to take our place and our role....

Is it to early to tell if the mission should be extended past 2009?

If one was to compare the accomplishments of each year side by side we are making great progress. but i would say anything could happen between now and 2009, but if i was a betting man, i'd say unless the liberals can win an election we will be there much longer....

Should the mission morph into some other activity past 2009 or even before this date?

I would say no, as 2009 is only 2 years away, there is still alot of combat yet to happen to drive them to the borders, then NATO will have to decide what it is going to do with Pakistans porus borders...

What is the endgame for the current mission, should Pakistan continue to allow Jihadists to resupply and cross back into Afghanistan every spring?

End game is when the taliban and other insurgents can not strick fear or control over the ordinary Afganis people.... That problem is a tough one, as they do not wear or indentify themselfs as Jihadists but rather as ordinary people, plus the fact that money talks volumes in that region of the world...enough money can buy you alot of access in and out of the country...that being said, with todays modern tech NATO can track most crossings or routes we just don't have enough troops to cover them all. more is happening in that respect than the media has access to...IE not all those insurgents make it into Afgan alive...

Is the aid getting through today?

More of it is getting in lately, what is needed is more NGO's or give the money directly to the military to hand out...

Are our forces well equiped for all the possibilities they encounter under the 3 block strategy?

Yes and no, the LAV's are a live saving veh, along with the Nyala patol vehs....but we still need alot more equipment and in great numbers....the terrian here eats armour vehs for breakfast...Chinooks would be a great assets, it would cut the need for convoys down considerably, Attack helos would also be nice, not only to escort convoys but to serve as mobile arty platforms...

Something to detect IED's, although we have some tech that does this, want to become a instant millionare design something that can detect an IED at a distance...

NoN lethal wpns would be a asset as well, something that could disable a veh at a distance, would be better than firing a LMG from a moving veh on a rough road at a small car...

Thanks in advance. Don't want to make you too busy.

Anytime.

Btw, does anyone know if Weaponer has internet access still?

I'd give him a couple more weeks yet, but there is access he just has to find it....The camp is huge and it takes a while to find all the little hide away spots...I found it by actually walking around with my lap top until i found a signal..as it is not posted any where...

[madmax]

Yeah, didn't take him long to start trying to capitalize on the deaths. Ignatieff might be a political illiterate with no no ideas, but he's got the morals of a weasel, so that should see him in good with the Liberal types.

Canada deserves better than Ignatieff, that's for sure. Thankfully, it's got it.

It is hypocritical for Ignatieff to play both sides of the issue.

[jdobbin]

Liberals introduce motion on Afghanistan.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...19?hub=Politics

TTAWA -- The federal Liberals plan to introduce a motion today asking that Canadian troops be withdrawn from combat in Afghanistan on schedule in February 2009.

But it'll have a tough time staying alive as it won't be backed by the New Democrats, who have long opposed the war. Dismissing the motion, NDP Leader Jack Layton said his party wants an immediate withdrawal of the troops. He said they are not willing to wait two more years for an end to Canadian involvement in the war-torn country, which began in 2002 and has so far claimed the lives of 53 soldiers and one diplomat.

It doesn't look like it will pass though because the NDP won't vote for it.

[madmax]

It doesn't look like it will pass though because the NDP won't vote for it.

The NDP have their mind made up. The Liberals have played this tune before. Now they want the mission to have an end date. This isn't unusual as O'conner wanted as much when he was in opposition. The Conservatives appear to want to be able to extend the mission and not be tied to the motion.

If the NDP don't vote for the motion, then the result leaves the positions of the NDP and the CPC open.

The NDP can continue to ask for the withdrawl of the mission and move on to something better. The CPC can continue with the mission and expect something better in the future.

[jdobbin]

Two NATO soldiers killed in separate explosions.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18229137/

One of them appears to be Dutch.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Separate explosions in southern Afghanistan killed two NATO soldiers on Friday, the alliance said in a statement.

NATO did not identify the dead soldiers or the exact place where they were killed.

Gen. Dick Berlijn, the Dutch defense chief said Friday that a Dutch soldier was killed in an explosion in southern Helmand province while on foot patrol as part of Operation Achilles.

The second soldier appears to be American.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/205494

It is bombs like these that increasingly taking lives of soldiers and civilians alike.

[ScottSA]

Nothing further reported yet but another indication of how many explosive devices are out there.

Fortunately the allies have more explosive devices and better ways of aiming them.

[jdobbin]

Fortunately the allies have more explosive devices and better ways of aiming them.

And apparently the willingness to spend the next ten years fighting.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/06...-name_page.html

Britain could be stuck in Afghanistan for 10 years and lose thousands of troops unless it alters its strategy in the lawless south of the country, a former Army officer has warned.

Leo Docherty, who served in Helmand province as a captain in the Scots Guards, said that UK troops were little more than a "big target" for militants in the south.

The high-intensity war-fighting they were engaged in was stoking antagonism among local people angry over the deaths of Afghan civilians and fearful for the opium industry which provides their livelihood.

He called for operations in Helmand to be drawn back to the area immediately around provincial capital Lashkar Gah in order to focus on reconstruction work there. And he warned that Britain risked becoming bogged down in the same disastrous quagmire in Afghanistan experienced by the Soviet Union after it invaded the country in 1979.

[madmax]

Nothing further reported yet but another indication of how many explosive devices are out there.

Fortunately the allies have more explosive devices and better ways of aiming them.

Afghanistan is the most heavily mined country in the world.

Mines don't have to aimed.

[Army Guy]

If these IED's where just mines , they would not be as effective, Afganis are digging a 4 foot hole and filling it up with everything, A/C bombs, rockets, fuel, mines stacked sometimes 5 or 6 at once, anything that will add to the explosion is being used, thier being triggered by almost everything under the sun...including the sun itself...Thier very adaptable, and very creative...

[madmax]

If these IED's where just mines , they would not be as effective, Afganis are digging a 4 foot hole and filling it up with everything, A/C bombs, rockets, fuel, mines stacked sometimes 5 or 6 at once, anything that will add to the explosion is being used, thier being triggered by almost everything under the sun...including the sun itself...Thier very adaptable, and very creative...

Some more questions for you.

Are mines left over from the USSR days and the Northern Alliance/Taliban era, being located and removed? Are they marked if not removed?

Are the holes, that are being filled up with everything under the sun, include mines from an older era, or are these new mines? Where are they getting these mines?

Also the triggering devices, how is it that a country which never engaged in these IED methods in the past, now able to manipulate the latest technology as a triggering device?

There was a time when the Afghans would just launch rockets and hope they scored a hit.

[M.Dancer]

Also the triggering devices, how is it that a country which never engaged in these IED methods in the past, now able to manipulate the latest technology as a triggering device?

That's quite an assumption.

[madmax]

Also the triggering devices, how is it that a country which never engaged in these IED methods in the past, now able to manipulate the latest technology as a triggering device?

That's quite an assumption.

Let me clarify. I am speaking during the period of the USSR/Afghan war. There is little "record" of using IED by the Muj during this period. Lots of other crazy ideas.

During the Taliban/Northern Alliance, the biggest IED of note was the Camera bomb used by AlQaeda Suicide bombers to kill the Tajik Leader whom was a skillfull guerilla tactician. This was done on Sept.10th.

Now the IEDs of recent have become more prominent and more deadly. Thus, when I suggest never engaged in these IED methods, I am speaking of these current methods, which appear technically derived and more lethal in composition.

Yeah, maybe a bit of an assumption there, sorry for the confusion.

[jdobbin]

Toronto Star columnist comments on the issue of the tanks among other things.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/205573

Running parallel to Bush's "security surge" in Iraq is Harper's own in Afghanistan: an order of tanks worth $650 million. That these won't arrive until about the scheduled end of our mission there makes this defence contractors' bonanza even more bizarre.

Are there indeed some tanks arriving after the mission there ends?

[madmax]

Toronto Star columnist comments on the issue of the tanks among other things.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/205573

Are there indeed some tanks arriving after the mission there ends?

I don't see the value in tanks that will arrive after the mission is over.