Afghanistan could be lost within a year: US commander

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 9/21/09 | AFP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan warned President Barack Obama in a confidential report that the war against the Taliban could be lost within a year without more troops.

In a grim assessment of the eight-year conflict leaked to the Washington Post and published Monday, General Stanley McChrystal said a new strategy was needed and warned that "inadequate resources will likely result in failure.

"Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months) -- while Afghan security capacity matures -- risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible," he wrote.

The report was presented to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on August 30 and is being reviewed by the White House, with McChrystal widely expected to make a formal request to increase the 62,000-strong US force.

McChrystal, who assumed command of international troops in Afghanistan in June, said the campaign in Afghanistan "has been historically under-resourced and remains so today."

This fact risks "a longer conflict, greater casualties, higher overall costs, and ultimately, a critical loss of political support. Any of these risks, in turn, are likely to result in mission failure," he wrote.

The 66-page document -- a declassified version of which is published at www.washingtonpost.com -- describes a strengthening, intelligent Taliban insurgency.

[Rick_Michael]

thanks for your correction, sir. I appreciate knowing the facts.

[omega4179]

The Talibs are now used to our present. Easily startled, but will soon return and in greater numbers!

[redgolum]

Sounds Accurate.

[GladesGuru]

“No problem with killing each and every little old lady and baby in those tribes, eh? That's what “obliterate” means btw. Just so we're clear.”

A most interesting line, and worth further analysis.

Since we are dealing with guerrilla war, it is well to remember Mao's observation that the guerrilla ‘swims in the sea of peasants like a fish in the sea”.

Therefor, drain the sea of peasants. Or, in this case, use fuel/air bombs to wipe out villages supporting the Taliban.

Another observation worth contemplating is, “The Muslim understands best power and vengeance”.

However, Churchill said it best in The River War, 1899:

CHURCHILL ON ISLAM

Here is what Churchill said, in its entirety, about the horrific battle
to wrest the Sudan from the jihadists of the 19th century:

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries!
Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as
hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The
effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly
systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of
property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A
degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the
next of its dignity and sanctity.

The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as
his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must
delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased
to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid
qualities - but the influence of the religion paralyses the social
development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists
in the world.
Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing
faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless
warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in
the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly
struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the
civilisation of ancient Rome.”

Sir Winston Churchill, from The River War, first edition, Vol. II,
pages 248-50 (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899).

[Bringbackthedraft]

The “Jacksonian” approach. I love it. Works every time! ............................... Like Thriller? With a red jacket, a while glove and fancy moves? The Taliban will die laughing. ;^) ( But you mean Stonewall of course)

[swarthyguy]

Essentially we’re are beating ourselves, I find some of the media coverage so defeatist that if you aren’t a devoted follower of incountry news, you’d think it’s all over.

It’s not. And saddens me that so many are willing to leave a place that will be threatening to us in no time at all. But unless we have the resolve to deal with Pakistan, there is no solution to Afghanistan.

Abu Jihad would definitely have Uncle Sam’s scalp pinned on his turban.