Orangekite1’s Weblog

Lots going on in Afghanistan today. Tonight with the presidential debates, there should be more information on what the candidates plan to do to increase troops in Afghanistan and on how they plan to win the now 7 year old war. If the links don’t click through, copy and paste into your browser. Some pre-debate links below:

Sec. Gates wants talks with the Taliban. Just a couple of weeks ago he went on the “Victory Through Apology” tour of Afghanistan (see other posts for details) and now he wants talks with them. Link below:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_gates_100608/

American troops in Afghanistan to report to U.S. General. No longer report to NATO command. This general has issued more restricted rules of engagement, just after Sec. Gates completed his VICTORY THROUGH APOLOGY TOUR it was announced a couple of weeks ago. See other posts for the story on this. Story below about the change of command for U.S. troops. Let’s just hope they can shoot the enemy and defend themselves now and those restricted rules of engagement are changed to give Americans a chance to win the war in Afghanistan. Link follows:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/07/us-to-unify-training-efforts/

In Afghanistan US troops face growing challenges. From US News & World Report, link below:

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/iraq/2008/10/07/in-afghanistan-us-forces-face-growing-challenges–and-a-rising-death-toll.html

Potential terror attacks on U.S. public buildings:

http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/06/1501940.aspx

Sen. Joe Biden called this the “Superhighway of Terror” in Afghanistan. From the story:

“In fact, many people think the 300-mile highway that links Kandahar and Kabul – Afghanistan´s two largest and most economically vital cities – is the most dangerous stretch of road on the planet.

Completed 56 months ago, the road was meant to open a gateway to economic development and improve the quality of life for Afghans.After the ribbon-cutting ceremony in December 2003, the U.S. State Department touted the $190 million project as “the most visible sign of America’s postwar reconstruction” in Afghanistan.

Today, the road is a symbol of instability across the country. It reflects the inability of the Afghan government and international security forces to maintain law and order, and the increasing presence of the Taliban.Government and military officials say insurgents and bandits commonly pull travelers from their vehicles, then kill them or kidnap them for ransom.

Afghan security forces are widely thought to accept bribes and collaborate with insurgents and robbers. Roadside bombs frequently target Afghan police and military patrols, along with NATO convoys. No one in an official capacity can even quantify the violence.” Full link below:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/06/bus-passengers-defy-taliban-on-perilous-road-to-re/CIA

U.S. tells allies in Afghanistan: FIGHT or write check (I say: go to that to the Marines who were thrown out of Afghanistan in 2007; now they want troops to fight!)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081006/ts_nm/us_afghan_usa_nato_3

CIA official said Afghans worked as spies before 9-11-01 but terrorist attack could not be prevented:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_cia_september11_100608/

US troops ambushed in Afghanistan; fight back and kill 43 enemy fighters:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_43militants_100708/

Sec. Gates has already apologized to the enemy in Afghanistan; now he wants to talk to the Taliban! Story link below:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_gates_100608/

US to send more remote control planes to Afghanistan:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081006/ts_csm/auav_1

Germany withdraws Special Forces from Afghanistan:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=a5quiJR8C.BA

UN envoy: Afghan war cannot be won militarily:

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.2549209336

More on UN envoy saying war cannot be won militarily:

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20081006%5cACQRTT200810061228RTTRADERUSEQUITY_1062.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=War%20in%20Afghanistan%20cannot%20be%20won%20militarily,%20says%20UN%20envoy

Female fighters in Iraq. (US military brass might learn from them). (I’m joking) Link below:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/10/06/iraq.pkk/index.html

Queens NY soldier killed in Afghanistan:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/warzone/2008/10/queens-soldier-killed-in-afgha.html