DOD US Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 25 May 2012

 Another six U.S. soldiers laid down their lives in Afghanistan this week, while 74 others were wounded in action.  Overal 137 young Americans have been killed in Afghanistan this year and another 796 wounded. 

 Last weekend's NATO summit, which primarily dealt with an exit strategy from Afghanistan, concluded that NATO troops would be out of Afghanistan by 2014 and that Afghan Security Forces would take the lead for operations against the Taliban by the middle of next year.  "The war in Afghanistan, as we know it, as we know it, is over."  Those were the words of President Obama at the conclusion of last week's NATO summit. 

The summit also dealt with the funding of Afghan Forces, which is expected to cost $4.2 Billion annually, with a NATO commitment for the next decade.  France's new President was steadfast that French soldier will leave Afghanistan by the end of this year.  Australia will depart a year earlier than anticipated, while Canada has announced that no Canadian troops would remain in Afghanistan, including a training role, beyond March 2013. 

Yes, the politicians have declared the war over and can't get to the exit fast enough.  Politicians and senior NATO commanders are reassuring the public that the Afghan National Army, expected to be at a strength of 352,000 by 2014 will be able to handle the task.  The rank and file is not so confident.  The ANA has high absenteeism, rampant drug use and of course is being infiltrated by the insurgents. 

At this stage it is not known how many NATO countries will remain in Afghanistan post 2014.  What is clear though, is that Afghanistan will require the support of NATO if it is to succeed, both in funding of its large security force and military support in the form of air support and drones. 

There is a "Strategic Partnership Agreement", but little detail has been released of its contents.

It would appear that gone is the concept, which based any withdrawal on the conditions on the ground.  The preparations are full speed ahead to facilitate the NATO withdrawal. Since Pakistan is key in success, there is little going well in the relations between Pakistan and the U.S. and NATO. 

Yes, the war in Afghanistan, as we know it, is over.  What has not been explained is what that means.  Suffice to say that U.S. and NATO 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                                   1857               1540        317                     15024
Other Locations                                        113                   12        101
 DoD Civ Casualties                                     3                     1            2
Worldwide Total                                     1973               1553        420                    16024

Accumulated 2012 Casualties:

KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA

  88                            49                               796

Hillary Clinton's Remarks On NATO Open Door Policy

Thank you very much, Deputy Secretary General Vershbow, for chairing today’s meeting of the North Atlantic Council. I am delighted to be joined by my fellow foreign ministers from the NATO member-states and from the nations of Georgia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. And let me again welcome you to Chicago, which happens also to be my birthplace and one of America’s great cities.

We’re meeting today to reaffirm our commitment to NATO’s open door policy. The possibility of NATO membership has proven to be a powerful motivation for countries to implement difficult but necessary reforms, resolve internal differences as well as differences with their neighbors, and contribute to security operations that benefit themselves and all of us. Our open door policy has produced some of our most active and committed allies, and it has helped produce stability and cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. And more broadly as NATO has grown, Europe has become more secure and more prosperous.

So the United States remains deeply committed to the open door policy, and it is in that spirit that we welcome our aspirant nations here today. We support their aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration, and we will keep working with each of them, both bilaterally and through NATO, to help them implement finally the reforms needed to meet the standards for membership. As I said yesterday, I believe this summit should be the last summit that is not an enlargement summit.

To speak just briefly about each aspirant, Georgia will become the largest non-NATO contributor to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan this fall, and we are very grateful for its contributions. Georgia has made democratic reforms, and the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections are additional opportunities for Georgia to show the world that it is committed to NATO’s democratic values. We stand firm in our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome Georgia’s non-use of force pledge, and we call on Russia to reciprocate with its own pledge. We stand by the Bucharest decision and all subsequent decisions on Georgia.

Macedonia has also made contributions to regional and global security, including significant and longstanding contributions to ISAF, and it has fulfilled the key criteria for NATO membership. We strongly support a resolution of the ongoing name dispute and urge the parties to reach an agreement so Macedonia can join the alliance as soon as possible.

Montenegro, too, has made contributions to ISAF and reforms in its military and security services, which we applaud. The U.S. plans to send an advisor from the Department of Defense, and we welcome similar initiatives by other allies to support Montenegro’s efforts to implement the remaining reforms for NATO membership. Support for NATO membership is growing among the Montenegrin people, and we encourage efforts to continue increasing public awareness and understanding.

Finally, regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, we welcome the political agreement on defense properties and now we urge that it be implemented. And we encourage Bosnia, Macedonia, and Montenegro to continue pursuing regional initiatives like the Balkan Regional Approach to Air Defense, as well as natural disaster preparedness and the joint ISAF deployment by the Adriatic-5 Group.

Regarding all these countries, as with any country that wishes to join NATO, we look to them to demonstrate that they share our values and they are willing and able to meet the standards for membership. And we promise to help them as they do so because this is in our interest. We know it can be a lengthy and challenging process, but we need to stick with it and remember our ultimate goal: a stronger, more durable, more effective NATO.

In 1949, we were 12 nations; now we’re 28. The result is an alliance that has proven over and over it can meet the threats and overcome the challenges of our time. And here in Chicago, let us reaffirm our commitment to enlargement done right as a core element of our purpose and our community. Thank you very much.

NATO Summit - Afghanistan - Rush to the Exit

When President Obama took office, almost three and a half years ago, he said that Afghanistan was the justified war, while he said he would end the war in Iraq.  One can argue about how the war in Iraq was ended and whether or not it created more security problems in the region, but as far as Afghanistan is concerned, there now appears to be a rush to the exit.  There seems to be no regard for the conditions on the ground.

France will have its troops out of Afghanistan by the end of this year.  Australia has already announced that it will leave a year early and the Canadian government has indicated that it has done more than its fair share and will not extend its training mission beyond 2014.

President Obama said yesterday that the war in Afghanistan is over as we know it.  Really?  1965 US soldiers have paid the ultimate price as of last Friday Read More, including just six last week.

NATO issued a declaration on Afghanistan overnight.

 "We are gradually and responsibly drawing down our forces to complete the ISAF mission by 31 December 2014. By the end of 2014, when the Afghan Authorities will have full security responsibility, the NATO-led combat mission will end."

The United Kingdom had 414 of its soldiers killed in action, Canada 158, France 82, Germany 53, Italy 46, Denmark 42, Poland 35, Spain 34 and Australia 32, just to name a few.  Overall 3006 NATO soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan.  Add to that those wounded and psychologically damaged, one must ask the question if the cost was worth it.

The Taliban is hardly defeated, despite the positive spin that the President is trying to put on the war.  The Karzai government is corrupt and yet it is the best partner NATO has in the devastated region.  It is anticipated that $4.2 Billion is required to fund Afghanistan's military post the NATO withdrawal, of which the US is expected to pay about half.

Let's be clear, the decisions being taken in regards to the NATO mission have nothing to do with the conditions on the ground but are merely being taken for political expediency.  It is no accident that those decisions are being announced during the President's re-election campaign.  They are all part of a check list for improving re-election efforts.

While the public is tired of war, more respect should be shown for the price that soldiers and their families have paid.  While most of them are volunteers, none of them asked to go to Afghanistan.  It is  not the soldier that starts wars. It is the politician.  Now the politician is turning his/her very back  on those they tasked to fight their war.  

At the very least politicians could be honest with the public and show respect for the soldiers, many way too young to realize what they are getting themselves into.

This travesty is amplified upon the soldiers return. The soldier has to fight for proper care and in most instances is unable to find employment.  Not only is the politician to blame, but also the media that has not done enough to highlight the plight of veterans. Does this look like Vietnam all over again?

No Admission to NATO For Macedonia During Chicago Summit

Macedonia will not get the go ahead for NATO admission during this year NATO Summit to be held in Chicago during May 20th and 21st.  NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen said that the NATO position remains unchanged during an appearance on Radio Free Europe.

"The Alliance's position remains unchanged and is still based on the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest summit, when NATO deemed Macedonia ready to join once it concludes the long-standing name dispute with Greece.  Unfortunately, there has not been progress in this direction. Nevertheless, the decision we took four years ago continues to apply."

The issue evolves around a name dispute between Greece and Macedonia.  Greece objects to the use of the name, citing territorial and historical concerns, as it applies to  its northern historical region and the ancient kingdom of Macedon which falls within Greek Macedonia. 

Greece further objects to the use of the term "Macedonian" for the neighboring country's largest ethnic group and its language. The Republic of Macedonia is accused of appropriating symbols and figures that are historically considered parts of Greece's culture (such as Vergina Sun and Alexander the Great), and of promoting the irredentist concept of a United Macedonia, which would include territories of Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, and Serbia.  Wikepedia

Just as the dispute affects Macedonia's admission to NATO, the United Nations ran into difficulties admitting the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name, namely with Greece providing the roadblock.   Finally a provisional name was adopted for the purposes of UN entry.  The UN Security Council endorsed the admission and recommended "that the State whose application is contained in document S/25147 be admitted to membership in the United Nations, this State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as 'the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' pending settlement of the difference that has arisen over the name of the State."

The council made clear in its recommendation that:

The appellation "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" was purely a provisional term to be used only until the dispute was resolved.

The term was a reference, not a name; as a neutral party in the dispute, the United Nations had not sought to determine the name of the state.

More on the Background of the Name Dispute 

To date the name dispute has not been resolved and thus the rejection by NATO, which is also backed by the United States.

 “In view of Macedonia, the country has met the key membership criteria. The United States remains engaged and supports negotiations aimed at solving the name row."

One would think that NATO could use the same approach as the United Nations did in dealing with Macedonia.  After all Macedonia has been involved in several NATO peacekeeping missions, including the deployment of 244 soldiers in Afghanistan.

Greece of course is a member of NATO and the Eurozone and obviously yields some political influence in those organizations.

The International Court of Justice ruled that Greece had breached an interim deal, brokered by the UN in 1995 (provisional name of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), when it blocked Macedonia’s attempt to join NATO in 2008.  Under the terms of the UN deal, Greece was obliged not to prevent Macedonia from joining international organizations as long it used a provisional UN reference, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The Hague court broadly upheld Macedonia's case, but did not accept other demands, made by Macedonia, that Greece be ordered to stop blocking Macedonia from joining the EU and NATO.

Obviously the name is important to both countries and has caused ethnic strife in Macedonia, pitching one part of the population on another.  While it took a long time to get to this point, Macedonia also has a right to have its name issue resolved.   At the very least it should not be the stumbling block for it to join NATO.  After all the country is good enough to contribute to NATO missions.

Operational Missile Defense System - The Way Ahead

NATO's Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen said that the Western Alliance is determined to move ahead with an operational missile defense system.  The statement follows what Rasmussen called a comprehensive test.

 "We will continue to expand the system toward full operational capability.  The alliance has already developed an initial command-and-control system to link the US assets with sensors and interceptors provided by European allies.   I expect more announcements in the months and years ahead."

An announcement by NATO leaders of an "interim capability" is expected to be announced during the Chicago Summit on May 20-21st.

The missile defense shield has caused frictions in the relationship between the U.S. and Russia and newly elected Russian President Vladimir Puttin is skipping the G8 Summit.  While Putin said that his attendance was cancelled due to the work he needs to do on his Cabinet, it is widely believed that it is as a protest against missile defense.

While there have been high level negotiations between Russia, NATO and the U.S., Russia was seeking a binding agreement to ensure the system was not being used against Russia.  The U.S. and NATO are only prepared to give political assurances.

 "We have not been able to find mutually-acceptable solutions at this point and the situation is practically at a dead end," said Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. 

 The U.S. and Europeans are ready to go ahead with the deployment of the first elements of the missile defence system next month.  The United States says it is installing the system to protect European allies from an attack by Iran, which the Western allies fear is on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon.

Russia has been opposed to the missile shield from the outset and fears that the deployment would harm its own nuclear deterrence.  Russia has warned that if the United States proceeds, it would be forced to unleash its own massive armament system if the U.S. did not address its concerns.

Rasmussen announced that NATO conducted a comprehensive test last month, which included  US ships, radar and satellites, as well as interceptor batteries from Germany and the Netherlands.

According to Rasmussen the test was successful and that first elements of the US network of satellites, sensors and sea-based interceptors are already deployed to Europe.

Turkey, Romania, Poland and Spain have all agreed to host US assets, Rasmussen pointed out.  Russia is particularly concerned about deployment of missile defense assets in former Warsaw Pact satellites.  This should be a hot issue during the Chicago Summit, which former Russian President Dimitry Medvednev will attend.

Afghanistan - Mission Accomplished or Not

President Obama had his "Mission Accomplished" moment on the first anniversary of Osama Bin Laden's capture and death.  He secretly traveled to Afghanistan, met with troops, then went to Kabul to sign the Strategic Partnership Agreement with President Hamid Karzai.

Prior to his trip to Afghanistan, the Obama camp put out an ad that touted Obama's success in killing Bin Laden, dubbed over with the comments of former President Bill Clinton, all but made Obama the hero and risk taker, while inferring that his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, would have reached a different decision.  Veterans groups were appalled releasing their own ad, which basically praised the brave men and women of Navy Seal Team six and the intelligence community with the slogan "Heroes don't brag." 

In his prime time address to the American people from Kabul, President Obama said in part:

"Tonight, I can tell you that we are fulfilling that commitment. Thanks to our men and women in uniform, our civilian personnel, and our many coalition partners, we are meeting our goals. As a result, starting next month, we will be able to remove 10,000 of our troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, and we will bring home a total of 33,000 troops by next summer, fully recovering the surge I announced at West Point. After this initial reduction, our troops will continue coming home at a steady pace as Afghan Security forces move into the lead. Our mission will change from combat to support. By 2014, this process of transition will be complete, and the Afghan people will be responsible for their own security.

We are starting this drawdown from a position of strength. Al Qaeda is under more pressure than at any time since 9/11. Together with the Pakistanis, we have taken out more than half of al Qaeda’s leadership. And thanks to our intelligence professionals and Special Forces, we killed Osama bin Laden, the only leader that al Qaeda had ever known. This was a victory for all who have served since 9/11. One soldier summed it up well. “The message,” he said, “is we don’t forget. You will be held accountable, no matter how long it takes.”

The information that we recovered from bin Laden’s compound shows al Qaeda under enormous strain. Bin Laden expressed concern that al Qaeda has been unable to effectively replace senior terrorists that have been killed, and that al Qaeda has failed in its effort to portray America as a nation at war with Islam – thereby draining more widespread support. Al Qaeda remains dangerous, and we must be vigilant against attacks. But we have put al Qaeda on a path to defeat, and we will not relent until the job is done.

In Afghanistan, we’ve inflicted serious losses on the Taliban and taken a number of its strongholds. Along with our surge, our allies also increased their commitments, which helped stabilize more of the country. Afghan Security Forces have grown by over 100,000 troops, and in some provinces and municipalities we have already begun to transition responsibility for security to the Afghan people. In the face of violence and intimidation, Afghans are fighting and dying for their country, establishing local police forces, opening markets and schools, creating new opportunities for women and girls, and trying to turn the page on decades of war."

Just two hours after the President's departure from Afghanistan, insurgents attacked a compound that houses foreigners in Kabul, demonstrating that the security in Afghanistan is not exactly what some in the NATO governing elite would like us to believe.

While the ability of Afghan Security Forces are being touted and praised by some.  In some military circles that ability and the commitment of those forces is being questioned.  The Taliban has been able to infiltrate security forces and there have been a number of incidents, which are known as green on blue fire that have killed NATO troops.  The most recent incident was on Sunday, when a Marine was shot dead and another wounded before returning fire killed the attacker.

Nearly 20 such attacks have occurred so far this year, including one in the Afghan Interior Ministry, which killed two NATO officers, leading to the death of 12 soldiers so far this year.  This has led to mistrust between NATO and the Afghans they are training.

The U.S. is also considering abandoning plans  for a consulate in the country's north because the building chosen was deemed too dangerous to occupy.  $80 million has been spend on the project despite  security deficiencies, according to a copy of a document drafted by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

The heads of the House and Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Diane Feinstein (D) and Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI) appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" yesterday and claimed that the Taliban is gaining ground in Afghanistan.

 “I think we'd both say that what we found is that the Taliban is stronger.  Karzai believes that the Taliban will not come back. I'm not so sure. The Taliban has a shadow system of governors in many provinces. They've gone up north. They've gone to the east. Attacks are up.”said Feinstein.

Representative Mike Rogers agreed with her and elaborated on additional reasons that demonstrate for what he considered the  Taliban's increasing strength.

 “This is a huge problem. And what we have found is maybe the policies, the announced date of withdrawal, the negotiations with the Taliban, have worked against what our endgame is here.  we ought to have a hard discussion about saying, listen, war is when one side wins and one side loses.”

NATO leaders have been determined to get out of Afghanistan as quickly as possible, mostly due to  pressure of a war weary public.  A CBS report yesterday revealed that there has been a U.S. program for several years, which released high level insurgents from  U.S.-run Parwan detention facility near Bagram north of Kabul.  The CBS report reads:

"As the United States has unsuccessfully pursued a peace deal with the Taliban, the “strategic release” program has quietly served as a live diplomatic channel, allowing American officials to use prisoners as bargaining chips in restive provinces where military power has reached its limits."

Releasing prisoners from Guantanamo requires congressional approval, while it does not from Bagram.  Enough said.

Add to that the revelation made by the former Vice Chief of the Army, General Jack Keane, which reveals that the President knew about the location of Bin Laden as early as the Summer of 2010, the Mission Accomplished moment has to be questioned.

What seems to be the facts on the ground, is not necessarily what is told the public in NATO capitals or Washington.   Almost 2000 American troops have died in Afghanistan and are still dieing.  Add to that almost 16,000 wounded and it is not hard to tell that the sacrifice of American blood has been significant.

Afghanistan has not been called the "Graveyard of Empires" for nothing.  This mission is far from accomplished and one has to agree that we ought to have a hard discussion on this war.  Either get serious about winning or get out.  Enough of the rhetoric.

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.

Kabul Attacks - Is Afghanistan Ready for its Own Security

Yesterday attacks on government installations in Kabul and across Afghanistan have left 36 insurgents and eight Afghan policemen dead.  The casualties also included 65 people injured.   The attacks, which the Taliban called the start of their spring offensive and retaliation for the Quran burnings, were also conducted in the provinces of Logar, Paktia and Nangarhar.

The focus of the attacks and the Taliban's seemingly changed strategy to move from the battlefield to an infiltration of government facilities is troubling.  The method has been used several times after the Quran burnings, on a smaller scale.  One or two gunmen had infiltrated Afghan Secuirity Forces and opened fire on their NATO mentors.  At least six British soldiers and seven Americans have been killed at the hands of those they were mentoring.  Two of the deaths occurred in the Afghan Ministry of the Interior.

The attack conducted over the weekend was at a much larger scale and by all accounts took all day to resolve.  It took a combined force of Afghan and Norwegian Special Forces to quell the insurgency at a construction site in  the central district of Wazir Akbar Khan.  While the operations were reportedly led by Afghan Forces, it is not clear how they would have fared on their own.

What is clear that some Afghans, including lawmaker Shukria Barakzai, are skeptical on how Afghan Security forces would deal with these situations on their own.  The attacks have shattered the confidence of those that felt that Kabul was a safe place.  Whatever the Taliban's aim was for these attacks, they have raised doubt as to the safety of the whole country. 

NATO continues to put a positive spin on the ongoing transition.  The Afghan security forces “were on scene immediately, well-led and well-coordinated. They integrated their efforts, helped protect their fellow citizens and largely kept the insurgents contained,” said General John Allen, commander in Afghanistan. 

The fact that the Taliban gained access to a secure area in Kabul has to be troubling from an intelligence point of view.  Fighting in urban areas is difficult, especially if you try to avoid colleteral damage. 

While it is hard to gauge whether or not Afghan Security Forces are ready to accept responsibility for their own security, it would be prudent to assess how they performed during this operation. 

What About the Future of Afghanistan

Coordinated Attacks in Kabul and Across Eastern Afghanistan

On the heels of a G8 leaders conference, just a few days ago, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for at least five coordinated attacks in Kabul.  According to the Taliban the attack targeted NATO headquarters, the British and German Embassies, the Afghan parliament building, the Serena and Kabul Star hotels, and sites along Darulaman road, where the Russian Embassy is located.  Insurgents also targeted Afghan and NATO installations in the capital cities of Nangarhar, Logar and Paktia provinces.

"In all these attacks, tens of mujahedeen fighters equipped with light and heavy weapons, suicide vests, RPGs, rockets, heavy machine-guns and hand grenades are attacking their targets," Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman,  said in the email.


"Our initial reports indicate that a large number of foreign forces, Afghan police and army are killed and wounded."

Taliban casualty rates are often exaggerated and ISAF has confirmed to reporters that no NATO forces were killed.  

NATO's Plans for the Way Ahead in Afghanistan

While the number of NATO casualties this year so far have been significantly reduced, reaching a high of 711 in 2010 and 566 last year, there are still too many killed, with no apparent progress.  NATO insists that the transition is going well and that Afghan Security Forces are taking over the responsibility for their country's security.  Apparently security for Afghan government buildings in Kabul is being handled by Afghan Security forces.  

NATO's intend is to complete the transition to Afghan Security forces by the end of 2014, with a yet determined number of NATO forces remaining in Afghanistan.  The details are expected to be worked out in a NATO Afghanistan conference next month.  

G8 leaders were at a  meeting, chaired by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to pledge their continued engagement in Afghanistan, for at least the next decade.  

"With the gradual transition to hand responsibility for Afghan security to the Karzai government, leaders of the G8 have reaffirmed their commitment for the long ranging engagement in Afghanistan.  The leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and national unity.  They urged Afghan President Hamid Karzai to combat corruption and work on improving governance.

While NATO intends to handover security responsibilities to the war torn nation by 2014, the country obviously has several problems to overcome.  Afghan Security Forces need to be paid, just as infrastructure requires funding.  There will likely be some US/NATO troops left in Afghanistan, the scope and size, which is yet to be determined.  This will also require a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)."   Read More Here

The White House and  NATO, including General John Allen, ISAF Commander, continue on the message that progress is being made.  While the training numbers of Afghan forces may be met, the question still remains on how reliable these troops will be.  

Since the Qoran burnings and the massacre of 17 civilians by a US serviceman, the Taliban have cranked up their attacks.  There have been the so called "Green on Blue" attacks, where members of the Taliban have infiltrated Afghan Security Forces and killed NATO soldier, including two in the Interior Ministry.

Attempts to negotiate with the Taliban have not yielded any results.  How likely is it that the Afghan government will be able to secure the country?  It seems like a high order, since the Taliban want nothing less than rule Afghanistan.  Will the country revert to Taliban rule after NATO leaves?  This is difficult to answer, however in a tribal society, loyalty to Hamid Karzai has to be pretty thin.

Afghanistan doesn't have the title of "Graveyard of Empires" without reason. 

DoD U.S. Military Casualties In Afghanistan as of 13 Apr 2012

Another six US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan this past week.  Five were killed in action (KIA), while one was killed in support of Afghan operation for other causes.  34 US soldiers were wounded in action (WIA).  

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chaired a meeting this week with leaders of the G8, discussing the way ahead in Afghanistan.  The G8 ministers  reaffirmed their commitment for the long ranging engagement in Afghanistan.  The leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and national unity.  They urged Afghan President Hamid Karzai to combat corruption and work on improving governance. More Here

G8 and NATO leaders in co-operation with the Afghan government have commenced the transition of passing the responsibility of security in Afghanistan to the Karzai government and the intention is to withdraw the majority of NATO troops by the end of 2014.  During a meeting in May, the scope and size of NATO involvement past 2014 is to be edged in stone.  As it stands now, there will be at least ten years of foreign engagement in Afghanistan after NATO troops depart.  Afghanistan's economy relies mostly on foreign funding.  

In US politics, the GOP Primary is winding down and Mitt Romney is now all but confirmed to be the Republican nominee that will face incumbent President Barrack Obama.  The President's campaign is in full stride now and during recent weeks efforts have been made to counter the Republicans with a war on women, which this week included the latest flare up, when Hilary Rosen, on a cable network, made the statement that Ann Romney had never worked a day in her life.  Rosen is a well known Democratic Party operative.  Ann Romney, wife of Mitt Romney, is a mother of five,  stay at home mom, who has survived MS and breast cancer. Needless to say Rosen's statement created fireworks, not only from the Romney campaign, but also the White House and Obama campaign.  A FOX News poll and Rasmussen poll suggest that the Rosen faux pas has hurt the Democrats.  Romney and Obama are now in a statistical tie when it comes to support by women.  

The President kept pushing the Buffett plan this week.  The plan effectively doubles the capital gains tax, which according to the 2011 tax return return, released by the President yesterday, Obama doesn't qualify for.  The scheme or gimmick would do nothing to pay down the deficit, but it is an attractive issue to create a wedge between the rich and the middle class.  Meanwhile Obama used a tax break, which permitted him and the First Lady to deduct $48,000, as a gift to his daughters, to avoid higher taxes.  While legal, it is definitely a head scratcher for one who professes the rich should pay more. 

While it is clear that the contest between President Obama and Mitt Romney will, no doubt, be full of nastiness, it would be prudent for both campaigns to focus on the things that matter to Americans, the economy, health care and jobs.   

North Korea, had an unsuccessful long range rocket launch this week, which was condemned by the world community.  In Syria the situation is still fragile and the global community is keeping a close eye on the situation.  How long will the cease fire hold?  Iran continues to be in the news for its nuclear program and talks with the US are scheduled to be held.  Expect a lot more uncertainty before all these problems are resolved one way or the other.  

President Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper are currently in Columbia attending the Summit of the Americas.  While both Obama and Harper profess that they are trying to get some business opportunities and jobs for their respective countries, the issue of permitting Cuba into the organization will also be discussed.  How will that be received?  

There are still many trouble spots in the world that beg resolution.  As the war in Afghanistan goes through its transition there are still soldiers paying the with their life.  Take a moment this week and reflect on these soldiers.   Lest We Forget.


Below are this week’s updated DoD casualty figures:

Op Enduring Freedom                  Total Deaths       KIA   Non Hostile              WIA

Afghanistan Only                                   1810               1504        306                     15594
Other Locations                                        112                   13          99
DoD Civ Casualties                                      3                     1            2
Worldwide Total                                     1925                1518        406                    15594

Accumulated 2012 Casualties:

KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA

  50                            38                               416

Casualty.org List of Casualties

DoD U.S. Military Casualties In Afghanistan as of 6 Apr 2012

Another nine Americans paid the ultimate price this week.  Seven were killed in action, while three others died of other causes and 45 were wounded.  While the main stream media is concentrated on the 2012 election campaign, Afghanistan after some attention after the Qoran burnings and the killing of 17 civilians by SSG Bales, Afghanistan has once again dropped off the radar.

Yesterday was also the 20th Anniversary of the Siege of Sarajevo, which got little attention by the US media, even though 11,500 people lost their lives.  The media kept busy with the perceived "War on Women" by the Republican party, Obama's comments about the unelected Supreme Court, with an interlude of the fighter crash at Virginia Beach into an apartment complex.  While the total number of casualties is not known, it appears that only seven people were injured and three families, who may be on vacation have not been accounted for, a miracle, in view of what could have been.

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This week, Mitt Romney picked up another 86 delegates after his primary wins in Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia.  Although Romney now has more than half of the 1144 delegates required, there is no sign of either Newt Gingrich or his main contender Rick Santorum withdrawing from the race.  Mitt Romney is now concentrating his efforts on President Obama, while he will still have to spend funds to ensure further victories over Santorum.  He has managed to close the gap in Pennsylvania, Santorum's home state.  A loss by Santorum would be a devastating blow.

President Obama has also concentrated his efforts on the presumptive nominee.  Needless to say this is what the main stream media is concentrating on. 
Regardless of the election campaign, there is still a war going on in Afghanistan.  Soldiers and civilians are still dying and even though it is not reported in the main stream media, men and women are still facing acts of violence on a daily basis. 
List of Casualties i.casualties.org

Below are this week’s updated DoD casualty figures:
Op Enduring Freedom                  Total Deaths       KIA   Non Hostile              WIA
Afghanistan Only                                   1805               1499         306                  15560
Other Locations                                        111                  13            98
DoD Civ Casualties                                      3                    1             2
Worldwide Total                                     1919                1513        406                   15560
Accumulated 2012 Casualties:
KIA            Non Combat Deaths             WIA
45                          37                                  382

Pakistan and Iraq Headline Today's News with More than 40 Killed

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, battle in stores during Black Friday and U.S. troops are completing their withdrawal from Iraq, there is disturbing news of more killings in both Iraq and Pakistan.  At least 15 people have been killed and more than 20 have been wounded in a Saturday bombings in the Abu Ghraib area of Iraq.  Pakistan has accused NATO of a helicopter attack on two Army check points in the north west, killing at least 25 soldiers.

BAGHDAD (AFP)

Bomb attacks in central Iraq killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 20 on Saturday, security officials and a doctor said.

The latest bombings came two days after triple blasts killed 19 people in the southern port city of Basra.
In the first attack, bombs on each side of the main road from Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, to Fallujah hit a truck carrying construction workers, First Lieutenant Omar Zawbai of the Abu Ghraib police told AFP.
Dr Omar Delli of Fallujah Hospital said "the hospital received seven bodies and seven wounded," two of whom later died.
An interior ministry official put the casualty toll at eight dead and 13 wounded from the Abu Ghraib attack.  AFP

The attacks come amidst the withdrawal of American troops.  Approximately 18,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, mostly responsible for packing and moving American equipment back to the U.S. or relocating it to Afghanistan.  All troops are expected to be withdrawn by the end of the year.

The recent escalated violence in Iraq calls into question the capability of the Iraqi government to maintain control after U.S. troops have departed.  Brigadier General Bradley A. Becker, who is responsible for oversight, support and sustainment for U.S. forces participating in Operation New Dawn, believes that Iraqi Security Forces are capable to face the challenge after U.S. troops leave.  The proof will be in the pudding.  


Although Iraq, unlike Afghanistan, had a trained military prior to the U.S. invasion, there appears to be a lot of discontent and disagreement among the various ethnic factions.  The challenge for Iraq will be to unify the various factions and to keep Iran out of its business.  With the international community putting pressure on Iran, it will most likely try to assert its influence on Iraq.  The political situation is also unclear in neigbouring Syria.   The whole region is a delicate balancing act.  


Pakistan is another region of major concern.  Again, on Saturday, a NATO helicopter allegedly pushed across the border.  This time it allegedly attacked Pakistani Army Checkpoint.  Sadly this will not improve relations with the Pakistani government.  
 

Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters of firing on two army checkpoints in the northwest and killing 25 soldiers, then retaliated by closing a key border crossing used by the coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan.
The incident Friday night was a major blow to already strained relations between Islamabad and U.S.-led forces fighting in Afghanistan. It will add to perceptions in Pakistan that the American presence in the region is malevolent, and to resentment toward the weak government in Islamabad for co-operating with Washington.
It comes a little over a year after a similar but less deadly incident, in which U.S. helicopters accidentally killed two Pakistani soldiers near the Afghan border, whom the pilots mistook for insurgents. Pakistan responded by closing the Torkham border crossing to NATO supplies — as it did Saturday — for 10 days until the U.S. apologized. Washington Post

 Pakistan is the key to success in Afghanistan, but these incidents do not help the situation.  The Pakistani military blamed NATO for attacking the Mohmand tribal area and said that NATO "carried out unprovoked and indiscriminate firing."

NATO said that it was aware of the reports and that it would comment after more information on the incident had been gathered.  It said that air support had been called for the region and that it is highly likely that NATO is responsible for the killings.

#Nato spokesman tells BBC its forces are "highly likely" to be behind attack which killed 24 #Pakistan soldiers bbc.in/dxJUR3

The situation in the complete region is still very volatile.  Bombings continue in Iraq and NATO continues to attack across the Afghan/Pakistani border.  These recent incidents give food for thought.  Is the withdrawal from Iraq and the draw down in Afghanistan political expediency or based on the conditions on the ground?

Ten Years in Afghanistan a UK Perspective

Operation Enduring Freedom was launched as a result of the attack on the World Trade Centre, were almost 3,000 innocent people were killed.  Al Quaeda, including its leader Osama Bin Laden, had found a safe haven in Afghanistan.  When the Taliban failed to hand over Al Quaeda terrorists, including its leaders, Operation Enduring Freedom was launched.

Sanctioned by the UN, a coalition of NATO countries and others launched an attack on Afghanistan and removed the Taliban, an oppressive regime from power.   A central government was installed, followed by elections.   Whether or not installing a central government in a tribal nation is open for debate.  Hindsight being 20/20 it may have been more appropriate to work with local governments and tribal leaders that would have been responsible for selecting a central government according to tribal tradition.

After a surge of 100,000 troops authorized by President Obama, the drawdown has begun.  NATO intends to remove all of its troops by 2014.  A big push is underway, with priority to ready Afghan Security Forces to be prepared to provide security for the Afghan people.  The jury is also out on this.

Canada ended its combat role in July and is now embarked on a training mission near Kabul.  158 Canadian soldiers have paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan.

The UK Armed Forces, who shared the lions share of the burden in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand, have also lost 378 soldiers in the ten year war.

The UK Ministry of Defence has put together a video with footage over the past ten years, highlighting the history of operations and explaining the reason for the UK's involvement in the war.  The video shows the progress that has been made and the preparations leading up to the handover of control to Afghans in 2015.   

While NATO is preparing to withdraw from NATO, it appears that the leaders of NATO countries are also planning to have a continued presence in Afghanistan for continued training and mentoring of Afghan Security Forces. 

Below the UK Video 10 Years of Operations in Afghanistan:

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Can the Libyan National Council Control it's Militia's?

Rival militias are fighting on the outskirts of Libya to gain control of one of Gaddafi's largest military camps.  The camp once commanded by Kharmis, one of Gaddafi's sons, is located on a highway midway between Tripoli and Zawiya.

The clashes, which have lasted at least four days, put into doubt the ability of the Libyan National Council's ability to disarm rebel forces.  At least six people have been killed since the fighting between the two rival communities started.

Heavy gunfire and explosions of rocket-propelled grenades were heard over hours Sunday in the area between the Warshefana lands, about 30 kilometres west of Tripoli, and Zawiya, another 15 kilometres to the west. White smoke rose into the air.

At one point, the two sides were battling for control of a major military camp of the ousted regime, said a fighter from Tripoli. The camp, once a base of elite forces commanded by one of Gadhafi's sons, Khamis, is located on a highway midway between Tripoli and Zawiya.
Two men from Warshefana were killed by friendly fire Sunday, another fighter said. This brought the overall death toll to at least six since the dispute between the communities erupted.  Source CTV Edmonton

The fighting should not come as a major surprise to Libya observers.  Although NATO and the NTC have cautioned for militias not to take out revenge, the fighting among rival tribes was predictable.  In a war, where NATO took sides and supported the rebels in order to achieve regime change, although the UN resolution was hailed as the authority to protect lives, it is no surprise that a power struggle over control would now erupt.

NATO has also been accused of war crimes and the UN International Criminal Court has said that it would investigate all allegations.  While NATO is not a signatory, the UN could hold individual NATO countries accountable for any wrong doing.  There is also the question of how Gaddafi died.  US missiles and French striker aircraft engaged a convoy in the desert.  Gaddafi traveled with that convoy.   What happened after the brutal leader was captured alive, is what is being questioned.

NATO air strikes continued for almost six months, after an initial engagement of military targets, including air defence missile sites, with Tomahawk missiles.  While no ground troops were used, it would appear that no particular provisions were made to care for the country after the Gaddafi regime was defeated.