Today's Article
Six years after
invading the nation,
al-Qaeda and the
Taliban remain as
free as ever.
invading the nation,
al-Qaeda and the
Taliban remain as
free as ever.
The American Spark
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How We're Losing Afghanistan
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb.29th, 2008
Six years ago, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to eliminate al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as well as to establish a
stable government there. But the Kabul administration under President Hamid Karzai now governs a mere 30
percent of that nation, admitted the leading American intelligence official on Wednesday.
And it hardly needs to be added that al-Qaeda and the Taliban remain as free as they were when they
conspired to attack us on Sept. 11th, 2001...
National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee that a
revitalized Taliban commands 10 percent to 11 percent of Afghanistan, whereas Karzai's administration
governs 30 percent to 31 percent.
About 60 percent of Afghanistan's population--the overwhelming majority--is controlled by local tribes, he
added.
The results of these failings are clear enough. A roadside bomb recently exploded in Paktika province, killing
two Polish soldiers; the troops belonged to the NATO force in the country. At about that same time, opium
valued at $400 million was nabbed in the southern region of Afghanistan.
Insurgency-related violence in 2007 slew over 6,500 people--that number includes 222 foreign troops. In fact,
last year was the most deadly for that nation since the American-led invasion in late 2001.
Officials believe that about 40 percent of Afghanistan's drug trade proceeds--a dollar amount running into the
tens of millions--is utilized to bankroll the insurgency.
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director Lt. Gen. Michael Maples stated at the Senate committee hearing
that Pakistan's current government is attempting to gain some control of the unruly tribal region bordering
Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda and the Taliban now are thought to be centered.
There's only one problem: neither the tribal Frontier Corps nor the Pakistani military is ready for a fight in the
tribal areas, he added.
Maples told senators it would be 3-5 years before the groups are ready to effectively fight in those regions.
"Pakistani military operations in the (region) have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda's position," said
Maples.
"The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to
al-Qaeda, the Taliban and regional extremism more broadly," he added.
Perhaps the biggest problem lay neither in Afghanistan nor Pakistan, but in our White House. There 'King
George' and His Majesty's court decided to waste American forces on the fruitless nation-building of Iraq, and
left the "Forgotten War" in Afghanistan to those ill-equipped to bring our real enemies to justice.
We can only expect more of the same bad results until those priorities change.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb.29th, 2008
Six years ago, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to eliminate al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as well as to establish a
stable government there. But the Kabul administration under President Hamid Karzai now governs a mere 30
percent of that nation, admitted the leading American intelligence official on Wednesday.
And it hardly needs to be added that al-Qaeda and the Taliban remain as free as they were when they
conspired to attack us on Sept. 11th, 2001...
National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee that a
revitalized Taliban commands 10 percent to 11 percent of Afghanistan, whereas Karzai's administration
governs 30 percent to 31 percent.
About 60 percent of Afghanistan's population--the overwhelming majority--is controlled by local tribes, he
added.
The results of these failings are clear enough. A roadside bomb recently exploded in Paktika province, killing
two Polish soldiers; the troops belonged to the NATO force in the country. At about that same time, opium
valued at $400 million was nabbed in the southern region of Afghanistan.
Insurgency-related violence in 2007 slew over 6,500 people--that number includes 222 foreign troops. In fact,
last year was the most deadly for that nation since the American-led invasion in late 2001.
Officials believe that about 40 percent of Afghanistan's drug trade proceeds--a dollar amount running into the
tens of millions--is utilized to bankroll the insurgency.
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director Lt. Gen. Michael Maples stated at the Senate committee hearing
that Pakistan's current government is attempting to gain some control of the unruly tribal region bordering
Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda and the Taliban now are thought to be centered.
There's only one problem: neither the tribal Frontier Corps nor the Pakistani military is ready for a fight in the
tribal areas, he added.
Maples told senators it would be 3-5 years before the groups are ready to effectively fight in those regions.
"Pakistani military operations in the (region) have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda's position," said
Maples.
"The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to
al-Qaeda, the Taliban and regional extremism more broadly," he added.
Perhaps the biggest problem lay neither in Afghanistan nor Pakistan, but in our White House. There 'King
George' and His Majesty's court decided to waste American forces on the fruitless nation-building of Iraq, and
left the "Forgotten War" in Afghanistan to those ill-equipped to bring our real enemies to justice.
We can only expect more of the same bad results until those priorities change.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!