Saturday, May 20, 2006
The Taliban's Spring Offensive in Afghanistan is Going Swimmingly
It was reported that Afghan soldiers have captured Mullah Dadullah, the Taliban's one-legged field commander, during fighting near Kandahar. That may turn out to be false-- three Taliban leaders were captured but Mullah Dadullah might not be among them.
Any of our major commanders being captured, killed or even threatened? You make the call then about who's winning there. I won't go with the body count, but the good guys are laying the bad guys low.
The Afghan government has learned political speak. Witness:
We have captured a very important Taliban member but due to security reasons we cannot reveal his identity, said governor of Kandahar, Assadullah Khalid. I think they got him.
Any of our major commanders being captured, killed or even threatened? You make the call then about who's winning there. I won't go with the body count, but the good guys are laying the bad guys low.
The Afghan government has learned political speak. Witness:
We have captured a very important Taliban member but due to security reasons we cannot reveal his identity, said governor of Kandahar, Assadullah Khalid. I think they got him.
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 6:19 PM 
Comments:
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Let's just assume the U.S. is 'winning". How long before we can call it a "win."
5 more years?
10?
Bets anyone?
5 more years?
10?
Bets anyone?
It's already a win. Do you doubt that we defeated (with the Soviets) Nazi Germany, but the Krauts fought on for a bit (Werewolves) and we had bases and troops there, well, still. It's the size of the continuing fight after defeat which makes its existence troubling--in Iraq it's troubling but mainly Muslim on Muslim now; in Afghanistan it's not really troubling (but it exists). You continue to make me think to support my statements--it just seems like I'm saying the same thing over and over.
R,
The concept of victory has changed. More is required than just a military victory.
T
The concept of victory has changed. More is required than just a military victory.
T
# posted by 
: 12:48 PM
: 12:48 PM
And always has been. There were second (and third) wars to finish what the first, even though there was military victory, did not fully accomplish. Punic, Sikh, Afghan, WW, Gulf War. I don't think it's new but I do think, as you seem to do, that other than military victory counts.
Roger,
The Taliban is stronger now that at any point since just after the original "defeat". There is more bloodletting and violence.
I don't think that in 1949, four years after the defeat of Germany we were experiencing anything like this.
This isn't even close to being a win. The most important point here being that Karazi is pleading for more help (in vain) and the damn Pakistanis are the biggest problem but the U.S. won't admit it becasue they are "our friends." Yea, thanks A.Q. Kahn, with friends like you....
This is pathetic. The fact that you call this a victory only shows how far you let yourself be taken in with the propaganda. I'm sorry Roger, but you have really missed the boat on this one.
Were there really a huge areas of Germany that were controlled by warloards in 1949. Really?
The Taliban is stronger now that at any point since just after the original "defeat". There is more bloodletting and violence.
I don't think that in 1949, four years after the defeat of Germany we were experiencing anything like this.
This isn't even close to being a win. The most important point here being that Karazi is pleading for more help (in vain) and the damn Pakistanis are the biggest problem but the U.S. won't admit it becasue they are "our friends." Yea, thanks A.Q. Kahn, with friends like you....
This is pathetic. The fact that you call this a victory only shows how far you let yourself be taken in with the propaganda. I'm sorry Roger, but you have really missed the boat on this one.
Were there really a huge areas of Germany that were controlled by warloards in 1949. Really?
It's not a perfect match, but continual occupation does not mean you didn't win. If the forces in the Spring offensive is the Taliban is its most powerful, I'd hate to see them fight in a weakened state--not because I think they'd beat us or even much bother us, but because I'm a humanitarian and hate to see a pathetic slaughter of the stupid.
We'll talk about this in another year and you can argue more about why your vision is the correct one.
We'll talk about this in another year and you can argue more about why your vision is the correct one.
Sounds good to me. Fair enough. I contest that the situation will remain largely unchanged. That next year's spring offensive will be just a bit stronger.
With the troop levels there currently, the Taliban is free to recruit, train, and build strenght. It is not like they are going to win some big victory, but it is like colon cancer. It just keeps coming back.
You can catch this guy or that guy, but nothing really changes.
I know we see this differently. It will interesting to see.
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With the troop levels there currently, the Taliban is free to recruit, train, and build strenght. It is not like they are going to win some big victory, but it is like colon cancer. It just keeps coming back.
You can catch this guy or that guy, but nothing really changes.
I know we see this differently. It will interesting to see.
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