US to begin Afghanistan troop surge within 3 weeks

Taliban: Afghan Surge Will Mean More US Fatalities

“The quickest way to end a war is to lose it.”

--George Orwell; image: Tom Clancy's EndWar private beta coming in June

"This is the second surge I've been up here defending."

--Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Taliban Out-Surging Us in Information War - Helle Dale, Heritage Foundation: "A glaring omission in President Obama’s speech Tuesday was any attempt to address the propaganda war that is currently being waged with increasing sophistication and success by the Taliban again the U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. Information operations are a critical aspect of warfare and will help determine the outcome in Afghanistan, being focused on the hearts and minds of the Afghan population. ... Regrettably, strategic information and public diplomacy campaigns to reach the Afghan people have taken a hit since the arrival of the Obama administration.

One of the first troubling decisions of the new administration was to close the Office of Support for Public Diplomacy within the Department of Defense, reflecting an attitude of suspicion of psychological operations as undertaken in a military context. ... [I]n August, U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke established a new united within the State Department for countering militant propaganda in Afghanistan and Pakistan – in other words engaging in strategic communication, previously the purview of the Pentagon. According to the New York Times, the Holbrooke effort is funded to the tune of $150 million. ... As of yet, very little has come out regarding the State Department’s efforts or successes — if any. However, if the Taliban is still winning the information war, Mr. Holbrooke might consider handing the responsibility back to the Pentagon." See also John Brown, “No Propaganda Obama,” Common Deams. Dale image from

This will not end well- George F. Will, Washington Post: The president's party will not support his new policy, his budget will not accommodate it, our overstretched and worn-down military will be hard-pressed to execute it, and Americans' patience will not be commensurate with Afghanistan's limitless demands for it. This will not end well.

What Empires Have Said Throughout History: "One More Surge"

President Obama's Secret: Only 100 Al Qaeda Now in AfghanistanWith New Surge, One Thousand U.S. Soldiers and $300 Million for Every One Al Qaeda Fighter

The Taliban Reaction: "Regarding Obama’s New Strategy"

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a new communique released by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban) responding to President Obama’s remarks, titled, “Regarding Obama’s New Strategy”. The statement noted, “The American President Obama has announced his strategy after months of dithering. The essence of the strategy shows that the needs and wants of the American people have been overlooked during the framing of this strategy and it has been formulated under the pressure of (Army) Generals in the Pentagon, the American Neo-conservatives and the wealthiest few in America and for the protection of their interests. Hence it is a strategy of colonialism aimed at securing interests of the American capitalists and it seems America has vast and protracted but wicked and hostile plans not only for Afghanistan but for the whole region.” The Taliban warned that “the reinforcements will provide better opportunities for the Mujahideen to launch offensives. On the other hand, it will deepen the crisis of the American economy which is already in shambles.” The statement pointed out that “The Islam-loving and freedom-loving people of Afghanistan consider the Kabul Administration and the forces working under this Administration as corrupt and surrogates of the invaders.” Moreover, “The Mujhideen of the Islamic Emirate have worked out a vast strategy and prepared for strong resistance to foil the illegal, anti-Islamic and anti-Afghanistan conspiracies of the internal and external Allies and counter them in every part of the country with full strength and put up a protracted resistance. The Mujahideen have high morale and complete readiness and believe that Obama’s new strategy will fail like it did previously.”

A complete copy of the Taliban reaction to President Obama's speech can be accessed via the NEFA Foundation website.

Obama's War Speech: The Questions It Raises… And The Answer That Must Be Given- by Larry Everest

Who Wants War?- by Ron Paul - 2009-12-08