Obama to release new strategy on war in Afghanistan next Tues

"Yes, they are famous for their manufacturing skills, aren't they. The spinoffs from their military,defense tech and aerospace research benefits us all . And then there are their field hospitals eh, what contributions they have made to the art of surgery!"

And you're still thumping your chest making patriotic squeeks from the safety of a Japanese ex-pat community? C'mon victimfriend, get yourself signed up and make a difference to the battle they're sadly losing to the AK47 and the RPG despite all that technology!

Mr Obama will do the surge! He will take the George Bush route, try and be one of us, an alpha male!

Victimcrat - America is losing in Afghanistan and the countries with leaders with an ounce of sense are keeping out.

America set itself up for defeat by going in in the first place - especially considering no other country has ever successfully occupied Afghanistan.

Sorry mate, history is not on your side.

Don't worry about Sushi. He was just feeling particularly anti-American today. It doesn't happen as much as it used to, but sometimes the Republicans make him say things he ends up regretting later after he cools down.

it's unfortunate for the U.S. military that that Taliban are real good on wars of attrition.

Yes, they are famous for their manufacturing skills, aren't they. The spinoffs from their military,defense tech and aerospace research benefits us all . And then there are their field hospitals eh, what contributions they have made to the art of surgery! Puts WW2 allied doctors and US forces of today to shame, doesn't it. Guess we'd best pack it in, admit defeat, and be like the cowards where sushiske3 comes from.

It's unfortunate for the U.S. military that that Taliban are real good on wars of attrition.

Their men don't have to be rotated home to rest and recuperate every 9-12 months which gives them a real edge.

Add to that, they don't have to go 'home' because they are already there.

It's a real eye-opener to watch the most powerful military in history getting its ar*e handed to it on a plate in a very low-intensity war that has lasted longer than WWII and that America is losing.

This is a key reason why the Europeans, Japanese, non-Americans, etc, don't want to take part in America's folly.

And a most telling essay entitled: Why Afghans Dig Empire Graveyards can be found here: http://www.uruknet.info/index.php?p=m60456&hd=&size=1&l=e One of THE most poignant questions asked is: "Afghanistan is known as the "graveyard of empires." But just why do empires keep sending thousands of their young people to die in Afghanistan?" And a very pointed video here gives the nitty-gritty that FAUX News won't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH60o8RmOUU Former CIA agent Robert Bear says that what the U.S. faces when it comes to the Afghan insurgency isn't terrorism, but a war of national resistance.

"The people that want their country liberated from the West have nothing to do with Al Qaeda," Baer says. "They simply want us gone because we're foreigners, and they're rallying behind the Taliban because the Taliban are experienced, effective fighters."

Because these insurgents see the U.S. as a colonial force, Baer says, they are unlikely to ever rally around the Afghan national army the U.S. is looking to establish. "This is an occupying force," explains Matthew Hoh, a former U.S. official in Afghanistan who resigned last month over the war. "The Afghan National Army is led by Tajiks and Uzbeks and urban Pashtuns, and it is occupying the rural Pashtun South."

This is why the U.S. should ask itself, Hoh says, "do we want to support one side in a civil war?" (Strike Two!) And Iran would simply be Strike Three! Gold is US$1,126 /oz & $1 is below parity with the Swiss Franc, and 86 Yen! Think hard, Mr. O, before starting any more unaffordable wars!

(1) Declare Victory. (2) Go home, stateside, not to Iraq. (3) Leave Hamid to his fate. (4) Learn the oft-repeated and still unlearned lesson of Afghanistan. "Nobody wins and nobody keeps that miserable pile of rocks.""

Good!

(1) Declare Victory. (2) Go home, stateside, not to Iraq. (3) Leave Hamid to his fate. (4) Learn the oft-repeated and still unlearned lesson of Afghanistan. "Nobody wins and nobody keeps that miserable pile of rocks."

This is like saying, "Your check is in the mail"...

Can you explain that?" Politics has a very negative affect on soldiers trying to do their best. that's something even aday will agree, if he's in a good mood.

Skip - "you know, I am with you for the most part, but mostly because of politics."

Can you explain that?

The partisan shallowness is eye-watering." hmmm... that's kind of why I've been telling you to stop playing partisan politics, you and aday.... Start making all parties work for you and start pumping up a third party before its too late.

But this one: "I believe that despite America having the strongest military in history, the minute Taliban is going to whip their hides like they did to the Russians in the 80s." you know, I am with you for the most part, but mostly because of politics.

Since the time the Commander requested for additional troops till now, numerous bombings and assaults have occured resulting in more loss of troops. Could this have been avoidable? I hope these 10 meetings pay the price of sacrificing our comrades in arms.

Conservatives would have backed a "surge" if George Bush had ordered it.

But because President Obama is likely to order it, it's all wrong. In fact, everything Obama has done, is doing and will do is wrong if you are part of the extremist minority Right Wing in America.

The partisan shallowness is eye-watering.

For the record, I do not back a troop increase, as I believe that despite America having the strongest military in history, the minute Taliban is going to whip their hides like they did to the Russians in the 80s.

Oh, now the genius leader of the free world suddenly believes in a "surge". What a novel idea.

so let me get this straight. YOu two are all for putting charges against this guy's "accusation", who mind you was no saint, and cause some sort of fear of doing anything, like walking on egg shells, amongst the troops there?

Aday: "the soldiers and Marines change; but the standards and the respect don't change. It's called discipline." yeah, you a vietnam vet probably bought butt, got drunk, got into Army/Navy brawls, and got high while on duty. Discipline, yeah right. If they did bust the guy in the lip, they should be commended for just busting his lip and not burning him like he burned his victims.

timorborder, good post.

skipthesong, The military changes, the weapons change, the tactics change, the soldiers and Marines change; but the standards and the respect don't change. It's called discipline.

Yeah, I live in the past a lot maybe, but the values I prize don't change. < :-)

the good guys who at least attempted to hold themselves to a higher standard. " Who says by not popping a terrorist is not a high standard and who makes the rule that a bad guy can't be blasted in the lips. Besides, he accused them of such, but as usual, you will say they are guilty even before a trial which they decided to take on instead of just caving in to YOUR wants and desires. Now, they are calling everyone's bluff. Don't get in the ring if you don't want to get hit.

Having people beat up prisoners just for fun does not just show a lack of discipline on the part of troops," You're confusing the issue and those idiots were dealt with.

aday: "Don't know much about the military, I see. < :-)" No, you don't know much about today's military. Quit living in the past.

Well, there might not be too much of a strategy if they keep on trying to sentence soldiers and SEALs for busting lips of the enemies.

And so they should be sentenced. I thought we (the US and its allies) were supposed to be the good guys in this whole war on terrorism lark, the good guys who at least attempted to hold themselves to a higher standard.

Having people beat up prisoners just for fun does not just show a lack of discipline on the part of troops, it also shows a lack of leadership on the part of the officers who command them.

I sense a mutiny coming.

Don't know much about the military, I see. < :-)

Well, there might not be too much of a strategy if they keep on trying to sentence soldiers and SEALs for busting lips of the enemies. I sense a mutiny coming.

Sad that lives of so many hang in the balance of all this political posturing, everybody trying to maximize their own personal benefit if it goes well, and minimize their involvement if it doesn't.

quote from the movie Troy:

"War is old men talking, and young men dying."

Great we are going to have an official press unveiling for all the beautiful people in Washington, both democrats and republicans alike. We will then have a raft of "experts" appear on news shows (and FOX as well) who will then proceed to analyze and dissect this earth-shattering event. Once everybody is on the same page, then some political a-holes will fly off to Afghanistan and present the "new" strategy to the commanders on the ground (all in front of the press).

What a complete joke. Please Mr. President, sign off on this strategy and issue your orders to the professional military yesterday.

Meet the new strategy... same as the old strategy.

The presence of US troops in Afghanistan is much a threatening to the people there than the pride of some Americans saying they give democracy in that country. Taliban revitalized with the support of the people, and "the top general in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal, has asked the president for about 40,000 troops, arguing that a robust but temporary surge was the best way to end the war". How much more lives and American money will be to waste there? Why more Vietnam,Iraq or US hell fails in the world?