Free Republic

What is occurring in Afghanistan is not surprising to most conservatives, as this crisis only confirms the corruption and ineffectiveness that dominates our foreign policy establishment and military leadership. While this crisis is far from over, there are already a number of sobering lessons that Americans have learned: 1) The “America Last” agenda of the Democrat Party remains in place. It is simply unprecedented to have American military troops extracted from a crisis before every American citizen has been evacuated so once again, American citizens are treated as if they were lepers. Even in Vietnam in 1975, the military did...

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces captured two Haqqani network terrorists and detained several other suspected insurgents yesterday in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province, military officials reported. Security forces found the terrorists based on tips from local residents, officials said. In other operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan: -- Security forces detained several suspected insurgents, including a Haqqani network terrorist linked to planning suicide bombings, indoctrination of network members and training, in Paktika province’s Orgun district. -- Troops detained several suspected insurgents, including a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin terrorist leader who leads a large group of foreign and...

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A CBS news report filed by Kimberly Dozier states that U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met in Kandahar with five Afghan tribal elders. Pulling out his notebook, the admiral asked the Afghans what they need. Apparently the new fashionable counterinsurgency introductory question is "What do you need?" rather than "Are you fighting on our side?" or "Are we winning?" In addition to new dams for irrigation purposes, Afghan elders made two requests, which were surprising only from the standpoint that, after eight years in Afghanistan, either request could...

The recent "peace" talks with the Taliban in Pakistan resulted in the Taliban thugs getting their wish of sharia law being enforced in Swat Valley. Now is appears that Afghanistan will follow the lead of Pakistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Oct. 21, 2008 – As a gentle wind swept across the tops of the overgrown stalks of vegetation here, the beauty masked the field’s true nature. Beneath the stalks of reeds lies a minefield, and in the middle of the field is a creek that floods annually. Australian servicemembers Maj. David Bergman and Gunnery Sgt. Brian Lee watch the progress of a controlled burn of a field at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The field was burned to allow de-mining operations to begin in the area and to clean out a creek vital to two local villages. U.S....

GROM troops set of for Afghanistan 19.02.2007 A farewell ceremony for soldiers of Poland’s elite unit GROM who will serve in Afghanistan has been held at Rembertow near Warsaw. Defense minister Aleksander Szczyglo said their mission is a realization of Poland’s obligations as a NATO member. Polish troops, who are taking part in the NATO operation codenamed ISAF, will cooperate within a multinational contingent and also with the United States. Upon arrival, they will adapt to the climate for several weeks. GROM unit commander colonel Piotr Patalong said their tasks in Afghanistan will be dangerous but they are well prepared...

Polish troops to stay in Iraq, more troops to be sent to Afghanistan 15.12.2006 Polish troops will stay in Iraq throughout the year 2007. Defense Minister Rados³aw Sikorski asked the Cabinet to extend the mission of the 900 Polish troops. Over the course of the year, Poles will be handing over security of the Polish area to the Iraqis. “We have an interest in seeing the United States succeeding in helping Iraqis stabilize their country” – the minister was quoted as saying. “We don’t apologize for being Atlanticists, and that means our community breathes with two lungs: a European one...

A DOCTOR yesterday became the first woman to campaign for the presidency of Afghanistan, with a pledge to disarm warlords “and break their tyranny”.Less than three years after the overthrow of the Taleban, Massouda Jalal, a 41-year-old paediatrician, told a small crowd gathered in Borana, one of the poorest quarters of Kabul, the starting point of her campaign tour: “There will be justice and equal rights for all, man and woman alike, an end to discrimination and respect for every individual.” The crowd, a mix of about 200 men and burka-covered women, listened quietly as she expounded her message. Few...

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - About 1,000 U.S. troops launched a raid on villages in southeastern Afghanistan (news - web sites) Wednesday night, hunting for members of the al-Qaida terrorist network, military officials said. Helicopters ferried troops from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the remote, mountainous area as the hunt for Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) and his terror network intensified. U.S. military officials in Afghanistan only confirmed the operation was underway. "I do not have anything to say about the Kandahar operation at this time," said Col. Roger King, U.S. army spokesman. The troops left from their base...