Bold Afghan Raid On U.S. Base Casts Doubts

Afghans Question Whether U.S. Military Is Losing Ground Against Taliban Insurgents

(AP)  An insurgent raid that penetrated an American outpost in eastern Afghanistan, killing nine soldiers, has deepened doubts about the U.S. military's effort to contain Islamic militants and keep locals on its side.

Moving in darkness before dawn Sunday, some 200 fighters surrounded the newly built base in a remote area near the Pakistan border without being spotted by the troops inside, said Gen. Mohammad Qasim Jangalbagh, the provincial police chief.

He said people in the adjacent village of Wanat aided the assault. About 20 local families left their homes in anticipation of the raid, while other tribesmen stayed behind "and helped the insurgents during the fight," Jangalbagh said.

The result was the deadliest incident for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since June 2005, when 16 American soldiers were killed as a rocket-propelled grenade shot down their helicopter.

Violence has been increasing in Afghanistan, and many people are questioning whether the Taliban-led insurgency is gaining, not losing, momentum seven years after the hard-line Islamic regime was ousted by a U.S.-led invasion.

The coordinated assault at Wanat sent a strong signal to other insurgent groups that "America cannot resist them anymore," said Tamim Nuristani, who was fired as provincial governor last week by President Hamid Karzai's administration for criticizing a U.S. airstrike that Afghan officials say killed civilians July 4 in the same area as Sunday's attack.

Nuristani said the attackers at Wanat were a mix of Afghan- and Pakistan-based militants, some with al Qaeda links - a sign, he said, that cooperation is growing between what had been often fractious factions fighting the Western military presence in Afghanistan.

"The (attackers) were not only from Nuristan but from other districts," Nuristani said. "They are not only Taliban. They were (Pakistan-based) Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Hezb-i-Islami, Taliban and those people who are dissatisfied with the (Karzai) government after these recent incidents. They all came together for this one."

The attack - which U.S. and NATO officials said happened in Kunar province but which Afghan officials said was in neighboring Nuristan - reinforced recent assessments by U.S. officials that militant attacks are becoming more complex and better coordinated.

A NATO official said the attackers used houses, shops and a mosque in Wanat for cover during the hours-long battle.

The militants showered the small base - which had been established just three days earlier - with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.

Some of the militants breached the wall and got inside, killing nine American soldiers and wounding 15 others, he said.

Other American soldiers managed to drive out the attackers and called in air support. Attack helicopters swooped over the battlefield, and in hours of fighting dozens of insurgents were killed and about 40 were wounded, the NATO official said.

The official described the militant raid as "serious," but also said it was a rarity for insurgents to get inside a base.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack expressed regret that American lives were lost, but argued the attack was a sign of the pressure being put on the insurgency.

The U.S.-led coalition and NATO military mission, which together have about 60,000 soldiers, have long maintained that insurgents can now operate only in small groups and have lost every battle with the militarily superior Western forces.

Yet the insurgents' ability to assemble a large militant force to launch the attack undetected and with the apparent complicity of locals is a worrying signal for U.S. commanders.

A Western official with detailed knowledge of the area said the raid underlined questions about the military campaign against the Taliban.

There is "overwhelming evidence that anti-coalition elements are operating effectively and that our counterinsurgency strategy is not successful ... because it has not addressed the most basic need to bring security to the people and devised a means to separate the people from the enemy," said the official, who agreed to discuss the sensitive issue only if not quoted by name.

Nuristan has been a tough nut to crack for any central authority for centuries and was a hub of resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Its rough terrain - mountains with forests, deep ravines and countless caves and gorges - provides a well-protected gateway from Pakistan's lawless tribal areas where al Qaeda and Taliban fighters find haven.

[edward1975-2009]

It seems as if these insurgents are using the Pakistan border as a DMZ of sorts. Which Pakistan must stop, or allow us to track and kill these insurgents within their border. We can not tolerate this. Either Pakistan is part of the solution or they better not become part of the problem.

[luigi999-2009]

How much longer before we go into Pakistan and clean house? The rats that run Pakistan are allowing the Taliban and Al Qaida to run rampant. It''s high time we cut off Pakistan''s foreign aid and storm that cesspool of a country.

[mcapek]

Sounds like its time to heavily mine the border with Pakistan. Then randomly seed it with smart mines and listening devices. It should become a free fire zone. That will make it little more difficult for the scurring rats.

[omded]

Should have stayed out of Iraq and focused our efforts on Afganistan instead. This is the same kind of mistake Hitler made in WWII when he invaded Russia. It was the beginning of his end.

[undrmyboot3]

Sounds like its time to heavily mine the border with Pakistan. Then randomly seed it with smart mines and listening devices. It should become a free fire zone. That will make it little more difficult for the scurring rats.


Posted by mcapek at 01:56 AM : Jul 15, 2008
-------
Nice idea, but we can''t even effectively secure our border with Mexico. You think our political leaders have the will and vision to secure the Afghan border? Not the current group of incompetent fools under the Bush.

omded wrote:

"Should have stayed out of Iraq and focused our efforts on Afganistan instead. This is the same kind of mistake Hitler made in WWII when he invaded Russia. It was the beginning of his end."

What a shame GW Bush won''t meet the same fate as Hitler. Or preferably, Mussolini.

[undrmyboot3]

Afghanistan will only get worse. We blew our chance there when Bushit decided he wanted a war of his very own, while showing what a big boy he was by doing something his daddy did not do (finish off Saddam). The little Bush really f''ed us.

Now the only way to win Afghanistan is to level it AND Northwest Pakistan and start over. Of course THAT is not going to happen

Not that the Bush/Cheney military-industrial war machine minds keeping these wars going FOREVER. They know the American people are too stupid to stop their wars of profit and are easily (mis)led.

mcapek wrote:

"Sounds like its time to heavily mine the border with Pakistan. Then randomly seed it with smart mines and listening devices. It should become a free fire zone. That will make it little more difficult for the scurring rats."

Right - nice way to go - kill more innocent civilians and turn more people against us.

You''re a thinker, aren''t you.

Note: Yes, that was sarcasm.

[lovegetpeace]

The greatest and largest military in the world USA cannot eliminate the smallest and weakest military in the world Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

[lovegetpeace]

The Soviet Union quit Afghanistan after 13 years of trying everything under the Sun. USA is repeating the same exact history. Afghanistan love their country and will kickout the Invaders until the end.

[lovegetpeace]

Americans are financing the Taliban and Al-Qaeda with their purchase of Heroin for a little excitement their boring and sick life.

[lovegetpeace]

Americans are financing the Taliban and Al-Qaeda with their purchase of Heroin for a little excitement in their boring and sick life without traditions.

[neoconrcrazy]

afghanistan is a story of lost chance -

when we had the momentum, we (bushit) abandoned it.

osama was given a new lease on life, maybe intentionally - to fuel the "war on terror"

back to square one after 5 years of waste.

[jackobyte]

When u go 1/2 way around the world to kill and invade in another country you have to accept losses even if you use local auxilliaries.

Ask the Russians, ask the british ask the sikhs.

Like an old british saying goes: "Another #10,000 (sterling) education falls to a Rs 10 (rupee) rifle".

P.S. in this case it refers to the officer core, for the ordinary squaddie (squad-die) it was more like 100 quid to 10 rupees, still a sizable loss.

[jackobyte]

When u go 1/2 way around the world to kill and invade in another country you have to accept losses even if you use local auxilliaries.

Ask the Russians, ask the british ask the sikhs.

Like an old british saying goes: "Another #10,000 (sterling) education falls to a Rs 10 (rupee) rifle".

P.S. in this case it refers to the officer core, for the ordinary squaddie (squad-die) it was more like 100 quid to 10 rupees, still a sizable loss.

[whiskyrocker]

mcapek
---------
You are correct sir.The more we kill the better.

[fixhist]

Nevertheless,attribute to words or verbose might not be available for past businesses strategy changes from days of such atrocities,as no lesser than Holocaust.
But,Reality or facts from that era are always on the ground,in archived video documentaries,voice recordings & to a quite good extent in paper-trails.
At some Places of archives they charge V.A.T (Value added Tax).
"Fixhist" is not sure, if Lord Conrad Black can use,his title of Lord of Crows-Harbour.
But, I''m pretty Sure he might have been a good quantity of wax Paper and Fresh Mapple leaves,which he might have preserved under his heavy books.

Some related references,are provided here under.
youtube. c om/watch?v=cJTeib8J9Fw
youtube. c om/watch?v=ynruPthbqkU

[fixhist]

That is so horrible to watch,two women shot execution Style and Canadian & British Media is still silent?
You know there are hundreds of "Neocon Rodents", Jumping here,Jumping There and Over there. For some reasons neither popular Papers,nor the main stream media is blustering with the "Prime time" interruption messages like the death of Innocent Farah Khan in an ordeal to grapple with a Muslim Cabi who happened to be her own father & of course death occurred in her own home,Seeks like Little Green footballs, Canadian Vivid spokes persons like Ezra - Lunat have found alternate way to stay in Business,rather better Business & would possibly running on TOP searches on Better Business Bureaus.
You know slight change in direction of business is not a catchy thing to complain about. Besides how far an individual has to go with a paper-complaint and trying to figure out who to address it,how to deliver it,is there any time window to raise his concern,bla,blah.

[ahrats]

I do not know who the american military leaders are in afganistan but they should quit. They are Bush/Cheny appointee''s and do not have clue as what to do, just like their leader. How do let 200 ememy solders get that close? Its hard to tract people movement at night in that terrane but the U.S. does have the equipment, did 9 americans die in vain or lack of effort? It just another mess Bush has got us into, the russians could not win in that country so what make the president think he can.

[skyk-2009]

After 7 years, those who planned and ordered the Attack on this nation aren''t just still alive. No, they are attacking and killing American''s. After 7 years are those who Attacked us struggling to survive? No, they are as strong as ever. After 7 years what do we have to show for the Billions of Dollars and thousands of lives lost? NOTHING but LIES and a Fraud called IRAQ. Now we may debate how to get ourselves OUT of Iraq but we can NEVER debate the issue of going in. THAT we should NEVER have done. Obama 08

[skyk-2009]

You are correct sir.The more we kill the better.

Posted by whiskyrocker at 04:56 AM : Jul 15, 2008

Thank God we didn''t have losers like this in our fight against the American Taliban, the Klan. Without the help of regular American''s, we could never have defeated the Klan in the South. The same is true here, without the help of middle of the road Muslims we can not defeat this enemy. It''s not a question of fact, the History Books are full of examples like I just pointed to, the question is how long we go on before we realize we need a leader who can rally our allies and friends to our fight. Obama 08

[taotxzen]

The McCain campaign and %u201Cchanging history%u201D on Iraq
By: SilentPatriot @ 4:00 PM - PDT
Yesterday on %u201CMeet the Press,%u201D former HP CEO and current McCain surrogate Carly Fiorina lamely attempted to argue that those who claim John McCain always supported President Bush on Iraq are trying to %u201Cchange history.%u201D Unfortunately for Fiorina and the campaign she represents, we have footage of John McCain himself saying the exact opposite on more than one occasion. Here%u2019s a little compilation I put together calling out this blatant revisionist history.

Fiorina: But to say that John McCain was aligned with President Bush on the prosecution of the war in Iraq is to change history.

McCain June 2005:

%u201CI will also submit that my support for President Bush has been active and very impassioned on issues that are important to the American people. And I%u2019m particularly talking about the war on terror, the war in Iraq [%u2026] So I strongly disagree with any assertion that I%u2019ve been more at odds with the president of the United States than I have been in agreement with him.%u201D

McCain, 3/28/08:

%u201CNo one has supported President Bush on Iraq more than I have.%u201D

It%u2019s pretty funny to watch the McCain campaign walk this tightrope as they attempt to embrace and reject President Bush at the same time. Luckily for us, the video tape tells the true story.

[beehive21-2009]

Burn the poppy fields.

[taotxzen]

The problem with the rdical right wing-nuts is they cannot tell a Muslim for a radical Islamist, to them they are all the same. Here is the issue with that:

They want to take on all the worlds 1.2 billion Muslims, I would prefer to deal with bin Laden and Al Qaeda in Pakistan.

Look at where their strategy has gotten us today. Bogged down in Iraq at $177 million a day, threatening Iran with bin Laden safe in Pakistan running his mouth. He is using our invasion of Iraq as a recruiting tool. People do not blow themselves up because they hate our freedom, they do it because they have become radicalized and want us out of Islams second most sacred country.

If you say leaving Iraq is ''cutting and running.'' Just remember this, bin Ladens rational for 911 was our bases in Saudi Arabia, Islam''s most sacred country, we no longer have bases in Saudi Arabia.

Also cutting and running from who in Iraq? The Defense Departments own study says that Al Qaeda''s pre-Surge presence in Iraq represented less than 2% of the total insurgency!

These wing-nuts refuse to acknowledge any other religion or culture, all others are corrupt. So they remain completely ignorant of the culture and dynamics of the region; that''s how you end up invading the wrong country.

[taotxzen]

(cont)

Referring to Al Qaeda members who regrouped in Pakistan, The Times reported:

%u201CCurrent and former military and intelligence officials said that the war in Iraq consistently diverted resources and high-level attention from the tribal areas. When American military and intelligence officials requested additional Predator drones to survey the tribal areas, they were told no drones were available because they had been sent to Iraq.%u201D

Who knows how long it will be before the U.S. disengages in any significant way from Iraq. What you can take to the bank is that this country will not make any major advances in energy policy, in health coverage, in rebuilding its infrastructure, in improving its public schools or in curtailing runaway public and private debt until our open-ended commitment to this catastrophic multitrillion-dollar war comes to an end.

How long will it take before that finally sinks in?

New York Times Bob Herbert

[taotxzen]

Success in Iraq:

In addition to the terrible toll of Americans and Iraqis killed and wounded, the war in Iraq has diverted attention and resources from critical problems here in the U.S., where the housing market has been crippled, the stock market has tanked, gasoline has soared past $4 per gallon, unemployment is increasing and an extraordinary number of debt-ridden working families are staring into a financial abyss.

Even as oil companies are enjoying staggering profits, many Americans - in July - are already worried sick about the potentially ruinous cost of heating their homes next winter.

And then there%u2019s the so-called war on terror.

The latest news is that Al Qaeda, the terror network that actually did attack the U.S., has successfully regrouped in the tribal areas of Pakistan and has reconstituted its ability to institute terror attacks from the region.

For an administration joined at the hip to the oil industry, the lure of Iraq%u2019s enormous reserves was stronger even than the impulse to conquer an enemy that murdered more than 2,700 civilians on Sept. 11, a toll greater than the number of Americans killed by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor.

(cont)

[taotxzen]

Here%u2019s a question for any of the Kool-Aid drunks. The Bush gang says that Iran is a significant threat to Israel and we cannot allow them to develop %u2018nu-clear%u2019 weapons. Why are we putting Israel%u2019s national security above our own?

The last time I checked Israel could take care of its self. I lived there when they conducted the air strike on Iraq%u2019s nuclear facility. Once again which is the greatest threat to the United States a terrorist network that has already attacked the US and killed 2,700 Americans, Iraq or Iran?

As long as we blindly support Israel there will never be peace in that region. Consider the parable that was used to explain the situation to me. A desperate man jumps from a burning building to save himself. He lands on his neighbor, breaking the neighbors back. How do you treat the neighbor? Do you say, %u201CYou should not have been walking where you were.%u201D Or do you embrace the neighbor and try to seek help for him? Much of Israel%u2019s problems have been a result of their own actions.

[ajaxtheleast]

Taking everything together, Iraq,
Afghanistan and the exploding or
imploding or whatever of his
U.S. economy the end of Bushdung''s
presidency is beginning to look a lot
like the final fireworks show at your
favorite ballpark stadium.

All that Bush and his repubs need now is
footage of General Petraeous running for
his life knocking over pigeon displays
and diving under a pomegranite stand to
excape a woman would-be suicide bomber.

[taotxzen]

(CONT)

In the run-up to the invasion, one of the most senior officials in charge of procurement in the Pentagon objected to a contract potentially worth $7bn that was given to Halliburton, a Texan company which used to be run by *** Cheney before he became vice-president.

Unusually only Halliburton got to bid - and won.

Missing billions

The search for the missing billions also led the programme to a house in Acton in west London where Hazem Shalaan lived until he was appointed to the new Iraqi government as minister of defence in 2004.

He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2bn out of the ministry. They bought old military equipment from Poland but claimed for top-class weapons.

Meanwhile they diverted money into their own accounts.

Judge Radhi al-Radhi of Iraq''s Commission for Public Integrity investigated.

He said: "I believe these people are criminals.

"They failed to rebuild the Ministry of Defence, and as a result the violence and the bloodshed went on and on - the murder of Iraqis and foreigners continues and they bear responsibility."

Mr Shalaan was sentenced to two jail terms but he fled the country.

He said he was innocent and that it was all a plot against him by pro-Iranian MPs in the government.

There is an Interpol arrest warrant out for him but he is on the run - using a private jet to move around the globe.

He stills owns commercial properties in the Marble Arch area of London.

[taotxzen]

Nine American soldiers and 15 wounded.

Way to go CBS. This happened SUNDAY! Everyone else had it one day later- Yesterday. It''''s only news to people who solely get their news here...

Posted by Impeach__W


Speaking of which, here is another story you will not see in the Corperate US media:

BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions
By Jane Corbin
BBC News

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23 billion may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.

The BBC''s Panorama programme has used US and Iraqi government sources to research how much some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.

War profiteering

While Presdient George W Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.

To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.

The president''s Democratic opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.

Henry Waxman, who chairs the House committee on oversight and government reform, said: "The money that''s gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, it''s egregious.

"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

(cont)

[bombadil4]

We are like babes in the woods and little more than unwitting tools in the hands of the various factions that have been killing each other in that part of the world for centuries. Ask the Brits how they did over there. Ask the Russians how they did. We will do no better. Rudyard Kipling told us all about it long ago in his famous poem.
"At the end of the fight a tombstone white
With the name of the late deceased
And this epitaph drear, a fool lies here
Who tried to hurry the East."

[singingrick]

This is just one more consequence of the moronic invasion of Iraq. Our attention and resources have been diverted from the country where terrorists are based to a country that posed no threat to us. Now Al Qaeda and the Taliban are taking back Afghanistan.


Thanks Bushies!

[bobbyduck1]

This is just one more consequence of the moronic invasion of Iraq. Our attention and resources have been diverted from the country where terrorists are based to a country that posed no threat to us. Now Al Qaeda and the Taliban are taking back Afghanistan.


Thanks Bushies!






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by singingrick at 10:22 AM : Jul 15, 2008

Exactly! Couldn''t agree more! Afghanistan is the only war we should have been involved in since WWII and the Chump-in-Chief has to go flailing off to Iraq for no good reason while ignoring the real work to be done. Can''t wait until his January departure!

[babooph]

How could the locals help the attackers-I thought we won their"hearts & minds"-blowing up all those children going to the wedding should not annoy them that much.

[shawnp20]

Want to know why the "war" is taking so long... and costing so much money? Because we play by TOO MANY RULES!!! Who decided that there needed to be rules in war??? That is the absolute dumbest thing ever!!! There ARE NO RULES!!! War isn''t supposed to be neat, clean, and tidy!!! Go in... kill everything that isn''t in a US uniform.... pack up your stuff.... and go home!!! Simple!!!

[gangesdak]

No one owned Afghanistan. In 1842 the British suffered humiliating defeat in the hands of the Afghans; only one soldier returned. In modern days the Soviet could not take it (Reagan supplied Stingray missiles has very little to do with the humiliating defeat of the Russians).US should get out of Afghanistan. Just make bases in Pakistan, tihten the noose on ISI (the conniving Pakistan Intelligence) and destroy Taliban centers in Afghanistan from time to time from air. That''s all the US can and should do. No need to dream that US can destroy the free spirited Afghans.

[rwassel]

There is no longer a question that we are losing ground - we ARE losing ground. So much for the War on Terror.

[xmanborg]

Call in the B-52s

[gangesdak]

The "free spirited Afghans"? Wow, that''''s a hoot. I''''m sure as heck not going to vote for the option of allowing the "free spirited" Al Qaeda and Taliban to come back to roost.

Judging by your name you''''re a Muslim and are probably proud of the "accomplishments" of these fellow Muslim madmen. No wonder Islam has morphed from a respectable mainstream religion into a bloody cult.
Posted by diatreme at 12:26 PM : Jul 15, 2008

Nop, not at all. I am not a Muslim. Just better read than you.
If you know how to read beyond the comics, find out for yourself. Wean yourself away from the one -liner -Reagan culture. Afghanistan is the mire US should not get into. Just suck it up, and build the country from inside- encourage good education (multiculturalism is not education).

[jahpdq]

"Afghans" have doubts? Which ones? All of them?

More defeatist propaganda in the form of a "news" story based on the premise the US is "losing ground" in Afghanistan. Do the "insurgent" "fighters" (a/k/a terrorists) "lose ground" every time coalition forces wipe them out in groups of fifty to one hundred? Nope, not in the world of the MSM. Killing thme just makes them "more determined," while killing us means we''re "losing ground."

[taotxzen]

I have a friend just outside Kandahar with an ''independent US company''...he says it is much worse than what is being reported.

[rosieod4prez]

''I have a friend just outside Kandahar with an "independent US company"...he says it is much worse than what is being reported. - Posted by taotxzen


The far left news media missing a chance to deamonize Bush more and then claim McCain is the same ?

Not likely.

[samsel3]

There are no benefits for Americans in Afghanistan. Your tax dollars and cumulative borrowed debt to finance these operations only benefit the corporations who purchased the oil& gas rights in the Caspian Sea Basin, nothing more nothing less.

July 15, 2008 Bush morning news conference: Everything''''s going well so far in the Caspian Basin "....

And the extermination continues:...........


February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ".

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan, which of course has it''s own unique challenges. " He continued saying, " the pipeline we have proposed across Afghanistan could not begin until a recognized government is in place that has the confidence of governments,lenders (world monitary fund & world bank ) ,and our company "......"

UNOCAL and other American companies are prepared to undertake the job ".