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"...McChrystal counsels his troops to take a different path, to “embrace the people,” to “partner with the ANSF [Afghan National Security Forces] at all echelons,” and to “build governance capacity and accountability.” He urges coalition troops to be “a positive force in the community; shield the people from harm; foster stability. Use local economic initiatives to increase employment and give young men alternatives to insurgency.”

Ahhhh...'The Community'.

"...McChrystal cites an anecdote involving an “ISAF unit and their partnered Afghan company” that were “participating in a large shura [tribal council] in a previously hostile village.” During the shura, which was attended by “nearly the entire village,” he writes, “two insurgents began firing shots at one of the unit’s observation posts.” The sergeant in charge of the post could have returned fire but he chose not “to over-react and ruin the meeting.”

Phew!! That was close to another statistic!

"...The risk of the counterinsurgency approach—which helps to explain why it has not been adopted in Afghanistan until now or in Iraq until 2007—is that, in the short term, it will result in more casualties for coalition forces."

Thanks for putting our guys lives and asses on the line for the Taliban Obama and McChrystal!!!

Counterinsurgency Memo: You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

“It’s the ROE’s Stupid” fits.

“RULES OF ENGAGEMENT REVISITED’

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346439/posts

“OBAMA’S RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN COSTING OUR TROOPS LIVES”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335891/posts

“THE RULES MURDERING OUR TROOPS”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347085/posts

Then there is this:

“No Rush to Escalate (”war kills off great reform movements”)”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2355050/posts

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http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/official_texts/Tactical_Directive_090706.pdf

“...I recognize that the carefully controlled and disciplined employment of force entails risks to our troops...”

“...The Taliban cannot militarily defeat us - but we can defeat ourselves...”

This is all that comes to my mind when I read that:

“We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We’ve lost today,” Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latter’s repeated demands for helicopters.

“’We’re pinned down:’ 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335142/posts

If your going to keep them over there Obama&Co.. NOW, can we PLEASE have some Troop-centered and protecting ROE’s! And give them the equipment and manpower they need to back them up!