[Tai_Chung]

Perhaps they are going back on their original offer because it would reduce the moral of Russian troops. Can you imagine how it would look if Americans get Bin Laden quickly when the Russians couldn't get his in years?

[Husker24]

Dont the Russians have some kind of secret weapon--- "vapor bomb" that they used in Chechnya. They set these things off at a certain altitude, and the updraft created after the explosion sucks out the air causing lungs to explode. There would be no way to escape it for the Afgans. They could hide under all the rocks and in the caves all they want, there would be no escape. Wasnt this thing called TOSS or TASS or something.

[xm177e2]

Can you imagine how it would look if Americans get Bin Laden quickly when the Russians couldn't get his in years?

I also sense a lot of pride in their not wanting NATO troops on their soil, which is understandable. I would prefer the US farm out as much of the work as possible to otber nations, just so we don't go taking on the Islamist world alone. We should still pull more than our share, though. We've got an example to set.