Bitter Winter Threatens War Strategy

The Observer (UK) ^ | 10-7-2001 | Rory McCarthy

[blam]

A sour note. I sure hope our guys know what they're doing.

[appeal2]

This writer is an idiot. Who does he think put those mines. The Russians, who have the maps who are working with us providing us special ops. How long does he think the Taliban will hold on for. Two weeks max. There will be scattered remnants ready to be mopped up quickly in the Spring. The only question really is where is Osama and how will we be sure that we got the bastard. You can be quite certain that we know exactly where he is or is hiding and he won't last long.

[Vauss]

I spent a year in Kabul in 68-69 when I was going to high school at AISK, american international school of Kabul. As I recollect and as weather records confirm, the winter in Kabul really isn't that bad. Very little snow on the ground at all, and temps were never down below freezing much, even in the dead of winter. Yes, the passes may be a problem, but if we have troops around Kabul or in the Shomali plain, it really won't be worse than a winter in the Northeast U.S. And Winter In Kandahar and Herat will be even milder. I sincerely doubt our troops will have much of a problem dealing with the climate.

[CatOwner]

If the US is playing a waiting game, then the title of this post is wrong. A bitter winter will be to our advantage in order to cut off supplies (read: weapons and ammo) to the Taliban. I know this will come as a great disappointment to many on this forum, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the "real", visable battles take place February or March '02 after a long fall and winter.

[terilyn]

Two recent Fox News alerts:

1. The U.S. has received over 200 terrorist threats in the past 36 hours.

2. An unmanned spy plane has pinpointed 18 missile sites inside Afghanistan.

[gov_bean_ counter]

One of the first things the Bush Adminstration did was put the Afghanistan's neighbors on notice. Either you are with them or you are with us. Choose carefully. I don't expect there will be a flow of basic provisions, much less military supplies, from perimeter countries this time like there was in their fight against Russia.

[John Jamieson]

Do you think we might be able to narrow him down to a 50x100 mile footprint?

[CatOwner]

"One of the first things the Bush Adminstration did was put the Afghanistan's neighbors on notice. Either you are with them or you are with us. Choose carefully. I don't expect there will be a flow of basic provisions, much less military supplies, from perimeter countries this time like there was in their fight against Russia."

This tactic will take some time, that's why I made the comment I did stating that the visible bombings won't occur for several months. Does the US and its' citizens have the patience?

[John Jamieson]

Would those be ICBMs or anti-aircraft? it would make a big difference.

[blam]

"Would those be ICBMs or anti-aircraft? "

I believe they said Russian made SAMS.

[John Jamieson]

Find them is the hard part. Should take a couple of hours to handle those. F117 meat.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Does the author think the US has only temperate weather. He should do some hiking (or even waiting for a bus) in Minnesota outside the Summer Months of July.

[John Jamieson]

Audemus jura nostra defendere?

My Latin is a little rusty.

3 acreas on a rural Texas lake. Same generation.

[John Jamieson]

We shouldn't keep our boys in there long enough to catch a cold. In fact, we should have them out of there before it gets cold.

[blam]

"Audemus jura nostra defendere?"

Something like, "Dare to Defend." Alabama State Motto.

[SamAdams76]

Yeah, we have snow and cold in the United States too. So bleeping what. In fact, it is colder in New England tonight than it is in Afghanistan.

It won't be U.S. troops camping out in the wilderness, it will be the remnants of the Taliban. It sure will be a cold, lonely winter for them. And if they light so much as a fire, it will be picked up by satellite and we'll send an F-15 over to put it out for them.

[John Jamieson]

send an F-15 over to put it out for them

Now your talking.

[blam]

"In fact, it is colder in New England tonight than it is in Afghanistan."

You too, huh? Coldest night of the year here in South Alabama tonight.

[Alberta's Child]

If it makes either of you feel any better, I had to scrape frost off my windshield several times even in September. Of course, the mountains out west of here are only free of snow three months of the year!