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Taliban Insurgency Stronger than Realized-General McChrystal

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | September 1, 2009 at 03:49 am

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General McChrystal, handpicked by Secretary Gates and tasked by President Obama to implement a new strategy has completed an initial assessment of the situation in Afghanistan. In his report he has concluded that the insurgency is stronger than thought, but that the Taliban can be defeated.

In his report General McChrystal concluded that more Afghan troops are needed and that their training must be expedited. Although he hasn't asked for additional troops yet, it is expected that he will ask for an additonal 20,000 troops.

"The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable," McChrystal said in a statement. He added that progress will demand a revised strategy, greater "resolve" and a "unity of effort" by the NATO-led multinational force.

The Pentagon has stated that there is no guarantee that General McChrystal's request, which is expected later on this month, would be met.

Afghanistan is becoming quite a problem, with the outcome of the election being unsure and Hamid Karzai, with 50% of the ballots counted, leading with 46% of the vote and not showing the clear 50% majority, a run-off election now seems within the realm of the possible.

Let's hope that General McChrystal's assessment is right. Will the rest of NATO step up to the plate? Will the Administration give General McChrystal what he asks for?

The report by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who has been tasked by President Obama to implement a revitalized strategy for the war in Afghanistan, concludes that the Taliban insurgency in the country is stronger than previously realized, according to senior Pentagon and administration officials familiar with McChrystal's thinking.

To tackle the problem, McChrystal believes above all that the ranks of Afghan soldiers and police must be increased, and that they must be trained more quickly, the officials said. That training is expected to require more U.S. and allied forces, although the assessment did not provide specific requests.

"The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable," McChrystal said in a statement. He added that progress will demand a revised strategy, greater "resolve" and a "unity of effort" by the NATO-led multinational force.

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Barry ORegan

at 04:58 on September 1st, 2009

Welcome to Afghanistan, Vietnam Style. One wonders if this General and NATO will ever come to terms with Nato backpeddling, but always chastising on the Podium safe from harm in New York

israeli.agent

at 10:01 on September 1st, 2009

It is amazing that with all the technical war marvels the NATO can't put a stop to the drug trade in that region. Definitely they know that drugs -> money -> weapons. OK, a good amount of money might have coming from Uncle Laden and Co. But taliban's own resources would be enough to stretch the war at their will. Not much brain-dead persons are left in this world to think that Americans / NATO heads are fools not to realize this.

Is this a necessary evil kind of war?

.Agent.