Why no Afghan riot after deadly rampage?

An Afghan woman, center, clad in burqa walks past a soldier at a checkpoint following Sunday's killing of civilians by a U.S. soldier in Kandahar province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, March 12, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Allauddin Khan

After U.S. troops were caught burning Korans in Afghanistan last month, violent protests erupted. Dozens of Afghans died during the riots and six U.S. soldiers were shot and killed by rogue Afghan security forces.

Now a U.S. soldier stands accused of slaughtering 16 Afghan civilians - nine of them children - in their homes and then burning some of their corpses. But so far, there has been only vocal outrage and no organized reprisal.

While a violent retaliation may still materialize, according to CBS News consultant Jere Van Dyk, the lack of bloodshed so far may simply be a case of geography.

Last month's riots following the burning of Muslim holy books were mostly in the capital of Kabul, where the Northern Alliance holds sway.

"(They) were using the Koran burning to show their fear over the U.S. starting to negotiate with the Taliban," Van Dyk said, adding that the Northern Alliance is "more confident, more sophisticated and understand the media more."

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By contrast, in the rural village outside Kandahar where the alleged killing spree took place, worn-down residents are fearful of foreign soldiers and have suffered through three decades of war, Van Dyke says. As such, their protests have typically been less violent and more symbolic.

"I once saw a demonstration in the foothills in Khost Province, after the U.S. and Afghan soldiers broke into a house killing the residents, and it consisted of about 50 people walking slowly down the road, beating a drum mournfully," Van Dyke notes.

Still, the Taliban has vowed revenge for the American soldier's deadly rampage. Time will tell if the vocal outrage transforms into violent retaliation.

[bbarnes5557]

It doesnt matter what we do there, they hate the US and any non muslims and they have already killed many Americans and they will continue too...They murdered 6 soldiers earlier just because a damn book was burned..I have little sympathy for these people. Its time to pull the plug and them go to H%$@*....

[fredisalive]

seriously, what are Americans doing in this god forsaken trash they call a "country"?

[pbaird2]

School kids get killed every day in the US and no protests. One lone soldier has a mental snap and the world wants American heads on a pike. I guess if you are Muslim you can be a constant victim and use violence for rationale.

[b4uigo]

Well past time to get out. It is inevitable that whenever we leave the Taliban will return. The Afghan people simoly do not care. These people have barely climbed out of the trees. Ignorant and savage would best describe them. I just hope the Taliban broadcast Karzai swinging from the front gates

[FP1970]

Who cares why Afghans do or don't do something? It's time get out of Afghanistan and don't let any of those 3rd world cultures infect America, any more than they already have through IMMIGRATION. Failure to slam the door shut today means cursing our children and grandchildren to an Afghani-like future. Advocates of open borders and open immigration are collaborators in a war against our children and grandchildren. No exceptions, no excuses.

[raymailhot]

Maybe the apology tour is what brings it on?

[ConSense]

You're exactly right, ray. Obama has shown nothing but weakness to our enemies, who continue to grow bolder. Surrender is next.

[SandmanUSMC]

Clearly a case of a psychotic soldier gone over the edge. They'll probably dope him up until he's fit to stand trial, then give him a life sentence.

[Massresident]

I noticed in today's news a Taliban suicide bomber killed 15 people at a funeral. This sort of violence is going on constantly. The only novel thing is that the soldier wasn't ordered to kill those people.

The Afghans have put up with a lot over the last ten years. We insulted every Afghan male by claiming that expecting your wife to have sex with you made you a rapist. Most American advice columnists advise divorce if your partner isn't offering sex. They are obviously a tolerant bunch but burning their bibles was too much.

It is past time to go. We are headed for another Vietnam style retreat and there are too many of our people there to get out quickly.

[Rodeo_Joe]

Let the Afghans have their way with the shooter. Hand him over.

[JamesSReed]

"(They) were using the Koran burning to show their fear over the U.S. starting to negotiate with the Taliban," Van Dyk said.

HUH? So they wanted us to crack down on the Taliban instaed of negotiating so they started threatening to kill us?