Britain sending 1,700-strong battle group to Afghanistan

Associated Press ^ | 3-18-02

[Oldeconomybuyer]

LONDON (AP) --

[Harp]

Ooh, the Bulldog gets a longer leash.

[Shermy]

Any Gurkhas?

[BOBTHENAILER]

A little more SAS, Royal Marine Commando action to help plug the leaks when the next ten "pockets of al Qaida" are wiped off the map.

I suspect that the Shar i Kot affair indicated the Afghans were less than desirable as a blocking force.

[rnf_fusilier]

1,700 Marines this time, more to follow? The Afghan Government's writ does'nt run further than Kabul. The historical reality of Afghanistan is that the putative government does not control the tribes or the moountains. In the 19th Century the British lost 60,000 trying to control Afghanistan. In the 20th Century the British tried air power, bombing the villages of uncooperative, belligerent tribesmen when they persisted in attacking British/Indian positions and territory. You are dealing with people to whom guerilla warfare is second nature. I predict the US will(after mounting casualities) pull out within six months, claiming their job is done.

[rnf_fusilier]

1,700 Marines this time, more to follow? The Afghan Government's writ does'nt run further than Kabul. The historical reality of Afghanistan is that the putative government does not control the tribes or the moountains. In the 19th Century the British lost 60,000 trying to control Afghanistan. In the 20th Century the British tried air power, bombing the villages of uncooperative, belligerent tribesmen when they persisted in attacking British/Indian positions and territory. You are dealing with people to whom guerilla warfare is second nature. I predict the US will(after mounting casualities) pull out within six months, claiming their job is done.

[BOBTHENAILER]

I predict the US will pull out after six months.

I don't think so. Different times, new technology and a very new attitude.

[redangus]

What is often overlooked is that after the British debacle that everyone likes to refer to was over the British came back to Afghanistan with their own "mountain" troops, mostly gurkhas and highlanders. They then proceeded to kick some serious afghani butt and installed their man on the throne where he remained until the 1920's. It's called attitude and determination. Whether we have enough of either remains to be seen. I think we do, but the american populace is fickled at best, and has a very short attention span and memory.

[rnf_fusilier]

What I mean is that reviewing the history of military incursions into Afghanistan from Alexander the Great to the Soviet Union is that Afghanistan has a tendency to swallow large numbers of troops. It appears that the current military operations in Afghanistan are having the effect of bringing the Pashtuns(from whom the Taliban come) into the fighting. The coalition may have started by targeting the Taliban and Al-Qe'ada network but increasing numbers of Pashtun clans are being drawn in. Despite what bobthenailer may wish the US is not immune to this. We are all infidels to the tribes and we may find ourselves fighting our way out. Its a danger we must be aware of.