DOD US Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 01 Jun 2012

 "The war in Afghanistan, as we know it, is over."  Those were the words of President Obama after the NATO summit last month.  Yet another 12 U.S. soldiers have been killed in action (KIA) and three died of presumably accidents, while at least 120 were wounded in action (WIA).  At least two UK soldiers and one other NATO soldier were also killed.

The relationship with Pakistan couldn't be worse after the arrest of Shakeel Afridi  on May 24th and sentencing to 33 years in jail under Pakistan's archaic system of tribal justice.  Publicly the United States has not placed much pressure on Pakistan other than Congress punishing Pakistan with a $33 Million cut to aid.  The punishment is a drop in the bucket.

The US continues with drone attacks into Pakistan, with everyone killed called a militant.  With the election campaign in the US in full swing, the media has concentrated on the trivial, like the so-called war on women by the GOP, Bain Capital performance to discredit Mitt Romney, who is now officially the GOP nominee to challenge President Obama.  Afghanistan, after the NATO summit in Chicago is off the radar again. 

Yesterday's job figures were again dismal, with only 69,000 jobs created, while 150,000 were expected.  The unemployment figure rose to 8.2%.  Many of those unemployed are veterans.  While last weekend, Memorial weekend, paid homage to those killed in America's wars, the reality is that they are out of sight and mind for the remainder of the year.

The situation in Syria has reached a critical point, with little agreement in the UN on how to deal with it.  Russia and China are at odds with Western powers on how to deal with the Assad regime.  Iran continues to be a thorn in the eye of the United States, with little chance of reaching an agreement to stop Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

France will have its combat troops out of Afghanistan by the end of the year, Australia will leave a year earlier, while Canada will not make any further commitments past March 2014.  The ten year war has been costly.  Whether or not the Karzai government can take over responsibility of Afghanistan remains to be seen.

While the war in Afghanistan, as we know it, is over, let's remember that it is not over for the thousands of NATO soldiers serving in the war torn nation.  Even one more dead soldier or civilian is too many.  Take a moment this week and remember that young soldiers are still dieing.  Lest We Forget.

Roll of Casualties

Below are this week’s updated DoD casualty figures:

Op Enduring Freedom                  Total Deaths       KIA   Non Hostile              WIA

Afghanistan Only                                   1872               1552        320                     16144
Other Locations                                        112                   12        100
 DoD Civ Casualties                                     3                     1            2
Worldwide Total                                     1987                1565        422                    16144

Accumulated 2012 Casualties:

KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA

 100                           52                               916

DOD US Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 18 May 2012

With the NATO and G8 Summits underway in Camp David and the windy city underway this weekend, another six U.S. soldiers have paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan.  High on the priority this weekend will be the future of Afghanistan and the recently signed Strategic Partnership Agreement on Afghanistan.

France's new socialist President Francois Hollande has given notice that French troops will depart Afghanistan by the end of 2012.  There may be some flexibility to leave a contingent of French troops to help train Afghan Security Forces.  Training an maintaining Afghanistan's forces is expected to cost $4.2 Billion, of which the United States is expected to cover $2Billion.

Also high on the G8 agenda will be the global economy, especially with the emphasis on Greece and its inability to form a government that can agree on much of anything.  France rejected Nicolas Sarkozy, who was of common mind with Germany's Angela Merkel, electing a socialist, who wants less authority and more emphasis on growth with stimulus.  It is no surprise that Hollande's first visit was to Berlin to visit the German chancellor.

Hollande also had a meeting with President Obama ahead of the Summit, where Afghanistan and the Eurozone debt crisis were discussed.  President Obama and President Hollande, who both advocate stimulus, will likely pressure their more conservative counterparts, David Cameron of the UK, Angela Merkel of Germany and Stephen Harper of Canada to support more stimulus.  Although the leaders will end up with a non-committal joint communique, there will be some friction involving the two opposing views. 

The United States has its own problems with the debt ceiling approaching $16 Trillion and is facing another fight in Congress to raise the debt ceiling.  The summit, which should have been a positive in an election year, with the news of an orderly withdrawal and and end of he war in Afghanistan, has the potential to be a detractor for President Obama's bid for re-election.  The summit results will be managed with kid gloves.

On the good news front and perhaps a plus for U.S./Chinese relations, Chen Guangchen has left a Chinese hospital and is apparently on his way back to the United States later on today.  He is in the process of getting a valid passport, which his wife and children have already been issued with. 

The Afghanistan war is often skipped over by the main stream media, after all there is so much election 2012 fodder, ranging from Mitt Romney's alleged bullying 50 years ago, President Obama's association with Reverend Wright, all issues that don't deal with the real problems in the United States or the globe. 

The sooner the media deals with the U.S. and global economic problems, concentrates on the way forward in Afghanistan and issues like Syria, Iran, North Korea and the Middle East, the sooner there might be solutions to solve the world's problems.  Petty trash around on the sidelines does not deserve time and it shows disrespect to the soldiers that have so valiantly given their lives in a far away country.

Let's not forget that those soldiers are still confronting the enemy daily and take some time to think of their sacrifice.  Lest We Forget.

Roll of Casualties

Below are this week’s updated DoD casualty figures:

Op Enduring Freedom                  Total Deaths       KIA   Non Hostile              WIA

Afghanistan Only                                   1851               1534        317                     15950
Other Locations                                        111                   12          99
DoD Civ Casualties                                      3                     1            2
Worldwide Total                                     1965               1547        418                    15950

Accumulated 2012 Casualties:

KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA

  82                            49                               722

DOD US Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 11 May 2012

As the American election campaign takes up steam, another ten US soldiers paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan during the past week. Nine died of combat related deaths, while one death was of other causes.  72 soldiers were wounded.   This brings the total number of deaths this year to 125 with  680 wounded soldiers.

While the U.S. media concentrated on the campaign, President Obama went on fundraisers, one of them at George Clooney's residence in California that raised $15 Million for the President, Afghanistan continues to be a volatile place.  

Meanwhile Greece is still struggling with forming a government, France has a new President, which has promised growth rather than austerity measures.   The UK had a 24 hour public sector strike, protesting David Cameron's austerity measures, which involve raising the pension age and asking that public sector employees to contribute more to their pensions.

The U.S. is approaching a $16 Trillion deficit, the economy is sluggish at best and millions of Americans remain unemployed.  The election campaign has turned to name calling, digging up dirt on irrelevant events that happened in the 60s. 

This week President Obama announced that he was in favour of gay marriage, a position he has flip flopped on several  times, dating back to at least 1996. 

Obama's Evolution:

1996 - To the Chicago LBGT newspaper - "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.”

2004 - "I don't think Marriage is a Civil Right" - See Video

2008 - At Saddleback Church  he said hat he believed marriage is a union of one man and one woman.

2012 - He says in an interview with ABC that he personally supports gay marriage, but would leave it to states to decide.    

“At a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts.

The announcement came on the heels of North Carolina's electorate voting  with 60%  against gay marriage.

Vladimir Putin is once again the Captain of the ship in Russia and has scuttled his invitation to attend the G8 Summit in Camp David, stating that he had to work on selecting his Cabinet.  There is widespread belief though, that Putin is skipping the summit to protest NATO's intention to instal the missile defence stystem.   Russia's Foreign Minister has said that the Russia would station rockets close to the Polish border and if necessary destroy the infrastructure of the missile defense system.

There are less than six months before the U.S. election.   Many issues need to be resolved, including the future of Europe, Afghanistan and the U.S. and global economy.  Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Palestinian/Israel issues are still very much unsolved.  Meanwhile the pettiness in the U.S. election campaign continues, without the most important global and domestic issues being addressed.  Instead social issues seem to be front and centre, issues that should have or have been resolved decades ago.  Instead both sides try to get votes with soundbytes. 

While soldiers continue to die and are burdened with disabilities, neither side is engaging in a serious debate about the future of America.  It's time to let the rubber hit the road, get into the serious issues, present a vision for the future of America and the world.   Take a moment this week to think about the men and women who are still fighting a nasty battle in Afghanistan.  They deserve our support, Lest We Forget.

Roll of Casualties

Below are this week’s updated DoD casualty figures:

Op Enduring Freedom                  Total Deaths       KIA   Non Hostile              WIA

Afghanistan Only                                   1845               1529        316                     15858
Other Locations                                        111                   12          99
DoD Civ Casualties                                      3                     1            2
Worldwide Total                                     1959                1542        417                    15858

Accumulated 2012 Casualties:

KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA

  77                            48                               680

Two British Soldiers Killed in Southern Afghanistan

The UK Ministry of Defence reports that two more British soldiers were killed in Southern Afghanistan.  According to the report the soldiers, both members of the Royal Logistcs Corps, serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Battle Group, were killed in an direct attack on a forward operating base (FOB).

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Ian Lawrence, said:

"Sadly, I must report that today two soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps, attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Battlegroup, were killed in an indirect fire attack on their base.
"The thoughts and condolences of everyone serving in the Combined Force are with their families and friends."

The soldiers' families have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) had reported earlier that two NATO soldiers had died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.  The statement did not identify nationalities, which is normally deferred to the relevant national authorities.

Since the beginning of 2012, 142 NATO service members including 94 US troops, 16 British troops and 32 soldiers from other countries have been killed.  This brings the death toll for British troops up to 412 since deployment to Afghanistan.

DoD US Military Casualties In Afghanistan as of 27 Apr 2012

 As the security for Afghanistan transfers to the control of Afghan Security Forces, another 12 U.S. soldiers have given their life in the war torn country.  Six soldiers were killed in action (KIA), six died of other causes, while an additional 41 joined the wounded warriors.  

NATO ministers met this week to discuss the way ahead in Afghanistan, ahead of a summit to be held in Chicago in May.  The U.S. and Afghanistan announced that a "Strategic Partnership Treaty" had been finalized, ready for signature by President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.  The treaty was to deal with supporting and funding approximately 352,000 Afghan soldiers and policeman by 2014.  Afghan Forces are expected to level at 228,500.  

Total cost of the package is expected to be about $4.2 Billion, of which the U.S. has committed to paying $4.2 Billion.  The treaty also addresses residual NATO/US troop strength post 2014 and the issue of night raids by special forces has also been addressed.  The U.S. has apparently made a concession on that issue and all night raids will now be planned and led by Afghan Security Forces.

Australia has announced that it will withdraw its troops by the end of this year, one year ahead of schedule, while the UK is going ahead with a withdrawal of 500 troops this year.  Apparently the Pentagon/White House have requested that Australia and Canada leave a small contingent of troops, probably Special Forces beyond 2014 to assist Afghans with training and in the capture of insurgents. Of course there is still the issue of insurgents in Pakistan.  

NATO leaders are making it clear that they are not prepared to leave Afghanistan to its own vices and that they will assist the Afghan government in any way they can to assure success and end the war in Afghanistan.  

In the US the election general election campaign is in full swing with both sides spouting rhetoric to demonize the other.  Americans can expect one of the dirtiest campaigns, full of Super PAC ads that will be beyond belief.  As Mitt Romney has all but wrapped up the GOP nomination, the White House and the Obama campaign have turned their focus on Romney and of course the Romney campaign on the incumbent President.  With the campaigns in full swing now, the winners are the media that air those ads, which cost obscene amounts.  One would think with an economy still struggling, millions of unemployed and on food stamps or other assistance, this money could be used better elsewhere.  

The global economy at best is shaky.  The Dutch government collapsed over austerity measures.  French President Nicolas Sarkozy is facing a run-off election and Germany's Angela Merkel is under pressure to quit subsidizing the rest of Europe.  

Needless to say there is a lot of pressure on governments to stop spending money on wars and to get out of Afghanistan.   Meanwhile troops are still putting their life on the line daily in Afghanistan.  Just yesterday the 410th British soldier died in Helmand Province.  Take a moment this week and think about those sacrificing their life.  Lest We Forget.

Below are this week’s updated DoD casualty figures:

Op Enduring Freedom                  Total Deaths       KIA   Non Hostile              WIA

Afghanistan Only                                   1828               1516        312                     15713
Other Locations                                        112                   12        100
DoD Civ Casualties                                      3                     1            2
Worldwide Total                                     1943                1529        414                    15713

Accumulated 2012 Casualties:

KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA

  62                            43                               535

 List of Casualties at Casualties.org

British Soldier Killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Another British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.  The soldier was a member of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

The British Ministry of Defence made the announcement on its website:

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that a soldier from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed in Afghanistan today, 27 April 2012.

 The soldier, a member of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North), was on a patrol to disrupt insurgent movements in the area, when he was hit by small arms fire.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Ian Lawrence, said:

"Sadly, I must report that today a soldier from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has died of a gunshot wound sustained while onpatrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
"The thoughts and prayers of all in the Task Force and Combined Force are with his family and friends at this tragic time."

The soldier's family have been informed and have asked for a period of 24 hours grace before further details are released.


The battalion deployed to Helmand as part of Operation Herrick 16 and is scheduled to return to Britain in the autumn.  The Army said Operation Herrick 16 was designed to "push back" the Taliban.

It said: "When we go into the villages and districts in Helmand we are supported by Afghan Army and Afghan Police who hold the ground we have cleared, to prevent the Taliban returning."

The Grenadier Guards previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and during 2009 - 2010, and are playing a key ceremonial role during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The UK has just announced that they will withdraw 500 British troops from Afghanistan, stating that the Afghan Security Forces were strong enough to permit this withdrawal.

This is the 410th soldier to have died in Afghanistan, since deployment in October 2001.