U.S., Afghan troops in new offensive

Marine Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said troops will build outposts in towns and villages where they will live among the people. Nicholson said in a statement the ultimate goal is the "transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces".

Generals are just the same in any country.A lot of boasting and little results on the ground.The old Soviet generals were certain to suppress the Afgan insurgents
and US generals thought the same in Vietnam and Iraq.Now Obama comes with the same failed policies of the past and praying for a miracle to happen.

The main problem with the war in Afganistan is the absence of its political aim and not the strategy and tactics to achieve this.

If the political aim was to capture or kill Bin Laden then there wouldn't be any need for huge NATO forces but instead a small effective force could probably do the job.

But if the aim is to prevent the Pashtun - Afganistans majority- from ruling their own land then any strategy adopted will surely fail.

Obama is repeating Bush's mistakes by supporting a corrupt and unstable goverment and effectively creating another Western protectorate for many years to come.

""Operation Khanjar" (Strike of the Sword) began before dawn when about 4,000 Marines and 650 Afghan police started moving into the lower Helmand River valley in armored convoys and helicopters."

What a horrible waste of resources. Much cheaper: find 40 guys with green skull cap which has the shape of a boat and 40 guys with white round skull cap. Give them some old rusty guns and some sabers. Tell them, that the group which does it better against Taliban will get the 100% of the bridge over Ibar in K. Mitrovica plus all kafanas and discos in the area.

... and watch Taliban being cut to sub-atomic particles.

By-product: in next 1000 years there will be a debate on B92, was the main hero (Jovan Agimovic) a Serb or Albanian?

..er distillery (hic).

Will also need the services of a small distellery.
(peter, sydney, 2 July 2009 15:09)

Not really. Most guys with long mustache are following the "DIY" (Do It Yourself) movement. And everyone claims, his own "raki"/"rakija" is better than what the neighbor does brew. We can say "Perfect Balkan Spirit" and it has two meanings...

Obama is repeating Bush's mistakes by supporting a corrupt and unstable goverment and effectively creating another Western protectorate for many years to come.
(Leonidas, 2 July 2009 16:07)

Leonidas,

This is of course not even a question. In last 150 years Pashtuns defeated every major Western power, precisely because in Afghanistan THEY are the guys with long mustache, old rusty gun and skull cap. The only matching power is just next to us - but they are busy with each other.

Will also need the services of a small distellery.

""Operation Khanjar" (Strike of the Sword) began before dawn when about 4,000 Marines and 650 Afghan police started moving into the lower Helmand River valley in armored convoys and helicopters."

What a horrible waste of resources. Much cheaper: find 40 guys with green skull cap which has the shape of a boat and 40 guys with white round skull cap. Give them some old rusty guns and some sabers. Tell them, that the group which does it better against Taliban will get the 100% of the bridge over Ibar in K. Mitrovica plus all kafanas and discos in the area.

... and watch Taliban being cut to sub-atomic particles.

By-product: in next 1000 years there will be a debate on B92, was the main hero (Jovan Agimovic) a Serb or Albanian?

Will also need the services of a small distellery.

Marine Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said troops will build outposts in towns and villages where they will live among the people. Nicholson said in a statement the ultimate goal is the "transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces".

Generals are just the same in any country.A lot of boasting and little results on the ground.The old Soviet generals were certain to suppress the Afgan insurgents
and US generals thought the same in Vietnam and Iraq.Now Obama comes with the same failed policies of the past and praying for a miracle to happen.

The main problem with the war in Afganistan is the absence of its political aim and not the strategy and tactics to achieve this.

If the political aim was to capture or kill Bin Laden then there wouldn't be any need for huge NATO forces but instead a small effective force could probably do the job.

But if the aim is to prevent the Pashtun - Afganistans majority- from ruling their own land then any strategy adopted will surely fail.

Obama is repeating Bush's mistakes by supporting a corrupt and unstable goverment and effectively creating another Western protectorate for many years to come.

..er distillery (hic).

Will also need the services of a small distellery.
(peter, sydney, 2 July 2009 15:09)

Not really. Most guys with long mustache are following the "DIY" (Do It Yourself) movement. And everyone claims, his own "raki"/"rakija" is better than what the neighbor does brew. We can say "Perfect Balkan Spirit" and it has two meanings...

Obama is repeating Bush's mistakes by supporting a corrupt and unstable goverment and effectively creating another Western protectorate for many years to come.
(Leonidas, 2 July 2009 16:07)

Leonidas,

This is of course not even a question. In last 150 years Pashtuns defeated every major Western power, precisely because in Afghanistan THEY are the guys with long mustache, old rusty gun and skull cap. The only matching power is just next to us - but they are busy with each other.