Is Afghan Gov't Coming to Aid of Bombers?

(CBS)  It's what American soldiers call a security bubble. To Afghan shopkeepers and their children it's a chance for a normal life. In a string of villages south of Kabul, U.S. troops are providing security in return for help in hunting the Taliban, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

It's a small scale model of what Gen. Stanley McChrystal is calling for in his strategic assessment -- a greater concentration of U.S. forces working closely with Afghan soldiers and police. According to Captain Paul Shephard, it began here with a massive increase of U.S. troops.

"We've seen a complete 180 and we've seen that because one, we flooded the area with soldiers. We've gone from 500 to 5,000," Shephard said.

But outside the bubble, this province is still a very dangerous place. U.S. troops have been here since the beginning of the year, watching down on the roads and clearing them of mines. But just three days ago, at almost this same spot, a roadside bomb killed Army Specialist Abraham Wheeler and seriously wounded CBS radio reporter Cami McCormick.

Listen: Cami McCormick reports on the increasing danger from roadside bombs

Listen: Cami McCormick reports on the growing number of U.S. casualties in Afghanistan

Lt. Col. Tom Gukeisen told CBS News three men were arrested after a search by the Afghan army brought in suspects with evidence on their hands.

"There were three individuals there that had explosives three times the normal limit or tolerance levels for TNT," Gukeisen said.

Martin watched as a team of investigators boarded a helicopter carrying the physical evidence, including fingerprints, that could convict the three men of murdering an American soldier and wounding a U.S. citizen -- except one of the bombers had a cell phone with a number to the Ministry of Defense in Kabul. That might explain why a letter arrived from the Ministry saying they'd arrested the wrong man.

"We think he was tied to the Ministry of Defense," Gukeisen said. "Someone in that office that began to put political pressure."

The three are still in U.S. custody and could be put on trial. But U.S. officers say there will be neither justice nor security -- no matter how many American troops -- if the central government pulls strings for roadside bombers.

[TheMasses2002]

Roadside bombs = BAD.

[TheMasses2002]

Terrorists = UNGOOD too.

[fjinnw]

why not?

[usphsmustang]

Why doesn't CBS have a special page just for Cami so we can see updates, send her get well wishes, etc. It is so difficult to find updates.

[steve54z]

Why send more Americans to Afghanistan? Kabul should use their own Troops. Average I.Q. of U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan ranges in the low 90s. Afghanis in the Armed Services range over 100 in I.Q. Native Soldiers there learn technology easily. NATO should employ their savvy for terrain, the People, and the Rebels.

[ibsteve2u]

Wanna bet that Iraq turns into a terrorism logistical support center?

Sans Hussien and sans U.N. embargo, but with access to munitions and explosives, and with porous borders, and with proximity to Middle Eastern wealth/"donations" and recruiting centers, and now blessed with our "Do nothing that inhibits the free flow of commerce!" approach to security...

lollll...our's and Israel's righties are stupid.

[Sloughfoot]

No surprise here, not if you've been watching this Afghan situation develope and listen to the reports comming from boots on the ground troops and their immediate commanders. For years our troops have been fighting the various enemy forces, while being compromised by the Afghan police and military. Karsi is using the American soldier body count as a vote getting lever while the Obama Puppet Gen. Stanley McChrystal throws a vail of protection over the enemy troops using villages for staging points, stashing arms and manufacturing IEDs. Glad handing Karsi will cost the lives of many more U.S. Troops.

[ibsteve2u]

You seem to forget that Karsi is Bush, Cheney, & PNAC's man...

lolll...he learned corruption and the usefulness of American body counts at the feet of the masters.

And now you wish to blame it upon Obama?

lollllll....you righties are...precious.

[rocketjl]

Did he get shot trying to escape????????

[jefleshman]

It is amazing the narrow-mindedness of some. All they can post is something they here on the news and so easily one forgets 9-11. What does it really have to take for people to realize you either fight them over here or fight them in your own back yard, your choice? Whether you agree or disagree with us being over here is your choice and right that guys like me defends every day. Yes, we know what we are doing, yes I choose this life freely and without intimidation, and yes I can come home with my head held high and say I didn?t sit back and grip and complain about something and not do anything about it. I am glad to see honest posts of people who realize this is not something that will go away?terrorist are real and they want to kill Americans because they fear not our religion but what America stands for ?FREEDOM?. This is a freedom many Americans take for granted and don?t fully realize how good we have it. It is because of men and woman who are not afraid to put on the uniform and defend that right which allows you to bash us freely and openly without fear of prosecution. Please keep that in mind when you say we joined because of ?this? and because of ?that?, If you don?t like America, then you are free to leave and live somewhere else. I love my country and love the freedoms we enjoy! Signed an American Soldier who is currently serving in Afghanistan, 2nd time around, who freely defends your right to bash us!

[wtcmedic-911]

by wyodutch August 31, 2009 8:05 PM EDT
Did he get drafted and forced into uniform? No he did not. Nor did my sons. They all enlisted wither out of economic desperation or perhaps a misguided sense of patriotism.

I DOUBT VERY MUCH YOU HAVE ANYONE IN THE MILITARY. You dont have a clue or understanding about duty and honor. you obviously are writting from the liberal vietnam era playbook. how dare you belittle this persons sons service by your comment of economic desperation or a misguided sense of patriotism. you should be ashamed of yourself.

[govtguy]

The American public at large is very naive on how the world works in the Afghan and Iraq areas of operations. Bribery, political agendas, inter-family warfare, drug and war lords, all are a way of life that began hundreds of generations before the first pilgrim stepped on American soil. The tele-video journalists show their "take" on the local conditions, at the time they are there, and rarely does anyone question the relationship between the host govt and the allied forces. Exactly what do you think happens? Money and supplies change hands on an obscene basis, behind the tent deals are made that are sanctioned by govt officials in Wash DC, and the locals continue on their daily lives. If you want to really know what is going on, DO NOT LISTEN to the talking heads on television; contact the troops on the ground and in the dirt, they can give you the eye-ball, worms vision view, and I can guarantee, you won't like it. Afghanistan will prove to mimic Vietnam; remember, you read it here!