As another US military death in Afghanistan increases this year's death toll to 112, and makes 2008 the deadliest for American forces in Afghanistan since the U.S. invaded the country in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, we have to ask ourselves if Operation Enduring Freedom is half as important to the US than the one they are caught up in over in Iraq.
In June, militants killed more U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan than in Iraq for the second straight month. While the trend is in part due to falling violence in Iraq, it also reflects rising violence in Afghanistan and the Taliban's growing strength. The 40-nation international coalition is much broader in Afghanistan, where half of the 65,000 international troops are American.
In June, militants killed more U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan than in Iraq for the second straight month. While the trend is in part due to falling violence in Iraq, it also reflects rising violence in Afghanistan and the Taliban's growing strength. The 40-nation international coalition is much broader in Afghanistan, where half of the 65,000 international troops are American.
On Jan. 16, 2008, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates smugly said he believes NATO forces currently deployed in southern Afghanistan "don't know how to do counterinsurgency operations."
Way to fucking support the troops! Evidently US troops are above criticism, but to hell with our allies. Any democrat who blathered a similar remark against the US Military in Iraq would be instantly branded with treason.
Most of the NATO troops in the south are British, Canadian and Dutch, while those in the north are US – however the The NATO forces are led by a U.S. commander. Washington announced the temporary deployment of 3,200 Marines to southern Afghanistan to quell the rising number of attacks. (LAT, Jan. 16). The UK has lost 86 troops in Afghanistan; the Netherlands have lost 14. The Canadian death toll in Afghanistan is 78, including one diplomat. Total coalition fatalities stand at 760, with 480 from the US. 2007 was by far the bloodiest year, with 232 fatalities. (Coalition Casualty Count, Jan. 16)
Leaving this battle to the Dutch, English and Canadians may not be the best tactic, to be sure… so why not send in the A-Team, already? Go ahead!
Or… you could just realize nobody is doing any good there, get out, and shut your festering gobs.
Way to fucking support the troops! Evidently US troops are above criticism, but to hell with our allies. Any democrat who blathered a similar remark against the US Military in Iraq would be instantly branded with treason.
Most of the NATO troops in the south are British, Canadian and Dutch, while those in the north are US – however the The NATO forces are led by a U.S. commander. Washington announced the temporary deployment of 3,200 Marines to southern Afghanistan to quell the rising number of attacks. (LAT, Jan. 16). The UK has lost 86 troops in Afghanistan; the Netherlands have lost 14. The Canadian death toll in Afghanistan is 78, including one diplomat. Total coalition fatalities stand at 760, with 480 from the US. 2007 was by far the bloodiest year, with 232 fatalities. (Coalition Casualty Count, Jan. 16)
Leaving this battle to the Dutch, English and Canadians may not be the best tactic, to be sure… so why not send in the A-Team, already? Go ahead!
Or… you could just realize nobody is doing any good there, get out, and shut your festering gobs.
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