Tag Archives: Afghanistan

Bush Will Be Remembered for his Wars

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bush

 

 

 

In a few days, the most powerful man on earth is stepping down for good. For almost a decade, he maneuvered America toward tough, record-breaking economic challenges,  post-9/11 recovery, and of course two historic wars.

For most Americans, George W. Bush leaves with a legacy that is highly questionable mainly because the superpower country is less prosperous and more problematic now than Bill Clinton’s or any other recent administration. It may be hard to condemn or judge him as he faced a lot tougher choices than his predecessor but those choices will forever be carved in history as some of the most unimpressive choices of a US President.

Bush will be remembered more for the two major wars he waged against suspected terrorism-embracing countries than for working to make the world a better place. He insists  that he made the planet safer with his actions most especially America, but do we believe in him? Does America believe in him?

Whatever his reasons are, the point is what did America get from Afghanistan? What goodness did the Iraq War serve? If it’s human life that he defended, why did we see thousands of innocent civilians soaking in blood and why is the world still unsafe up to now?  

I want to know the answers Mr. President.

 

Militants Attack Pakistan Border

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pakistanPakistan officials said that their military posts in the border with Afghanistan were attacked Saturday night and Sunday morning  by hundreds of militants. The attackers are believed to be foreign fighters.  

Six Pakistani soldiers and forty militants were reported dead in the encounters according to the military spokesman.

Athar Abbas also added that the series of attacks that the militants launched is one of the biggest attacks they have seen.

The military camps and posts in the Mohmand agency were the specific targets  in the latest offensives. The location is said to be one of the lawless federally administered tribal areas in Pakistan where militants are visible.   

Using their machine guns and rocket launchers, the fighters crossed the war-prone Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

 

Death Toll in Afghanistan Surpasses Iraq

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US Soldier Under Attack

Above: Troops playing against the perils in war-torn Afghanistan (Photo: www.hqusareur.army.mil)

The number of US and NATO troops killed in Afghanistan in May and June has surpassed that of Iraq. Taliban offensives have considerably risen and have become more dangerous. Experts say that the insurgents in Afghanistan are getting stronger thus it could be an alarming sign on the part of the US/NATO soldiers in the war-torn country.

United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates has reported that Afghanistan attacks in May have killed more soldiers than in Iraq, with death counts for the month reaching 22 soldiers while the death toll in Iraq dropped at 21. The trend has even continued in June.

Based on a count from the Associated Press, 45 NATO troops died in Afghanistan in June. The data includes 27 US soldiers and 13 British troops. June has been considered the deadliest month since the US-led attack in Afghanistan in 2001 which overthrew the Taliban regime.

US Soldier

The day doesn’t end for these soldiers in Afghanistan who are even more on heightened alert against the alarmingly mounting insurgent risks (Photo: www.dnd.ca)

On the other hand, the death toll in Iraq fell at 31 in June. The count includes 29 US soldiers and 3 international troops.

The troops in Iraq are mostly from the United States while a small percentage consists of British soldiers and international peacekeepers. About half of the troops in Afghanistan are international forces and the rest are US soldiers.

The international community recently met in Paris and pledged additional $21 billion aid for Afghanistan. However, an Afghanistan expert in New York has expressed doubt on the success of the promised aid.

John McCain and War

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John Mc'Cain

Above: Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain (Photo: Charles Dharapak/AP)

Presumptive Republican Presidential candidate John McCain, like his President in Washington, does not want to softly deal with suspected Bin Laden-embracing or nuke-developing countries. For him, talking to possible terrorists is a big waste of time. He even criticizes presumptive Democratic Presidential Candidate Barrack Obama for planning a friendly stance toward those hostile countries.

Barrack Obama

Above: Democratic Presidential Candidate Barrack Obama (Photo: nativenotes.wordpress.com)

Once again, McCain is certain with what he is saying as if Bush’s war strategy yielded positive results – a war that he strongly encouraged and supported. Years after the United States started a war in Afghanistan, al-Qaeda still remains a hot news item and its leader still speaks confidently on camera against America. McCain’s irony does not just end there as the War on Iraq which he favored and still favors, continues to defeat its purpose.

John Mc'Cain

Above: McCain in Iraq (Photo: www.defendamerica.mil)

Obama may have erred in his stance on Afghanistan years ago, but he saw wisdom in voting against the War on Iraq. If he plans to learn from the mistakes that he saw, then such a plan is expected of a man who uses his mind. McCain simply looks beyond what he sees, but the problem is that such “beyond” sights of this veteran senator are clearly unreal. Logic simply dictates us to learn from our past failures. If we listen to McCain and believe that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq which destroyed more innocent lives than 9/11 are not a failure, then this world would be far worse than too much.

Taliban Moves to Retake Former Stronghold

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Taliban Army

Above: Taliban in Kandahar

The Taliban is on the offensive once more. After a swift assault of the villages of Arghandab District, they have now setup bases in and around the area. They started by destroying bridges and restricting access of tanks and other army vehicles into the region. Then they planted mines to further prevent land assault. Arghandab is in the southern part of Afghanistan, found in the Kandahar Province. The Arghandab region is found just 10 miles to the northwest of Kandahar City – the second largest city in the whole country.

A provincial council member saw how it happened. He said the militants were destroying bridges and planting mines in hopes of protecting themselves against NATO force and Afghan Army attacks.

With the Taliban now controlling Arghandab, they could just as easily takeover Kandahar – their former stronghold.

True or False?

In Arghandab

Above: The coalition set up checkpoints around the district; here they check the vehicles of those fleeing Arghandab after the Taliban assault

These reports came from Afghanistan’s own Ministry of Defense. They said on Tuesday that the militants’ number were close to 400; including foreign terrorists. Just last week, the Taliban assaulted the Kandahar prison – freeing almost the same number of militants.

Ruins of Kandahar Prison

Above: This is what the Kandahar prison wall looked like after the Taliban attack

NATO disputed the supposed takeover – saying that their troops in the area saw no signs of any kind of Taliban attack. NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, led by United States troops, said they sent soldiers into the district and they did not meet any form of resistance.

“Recent reports of militant control in the area appear to be unfounded,” their issued statement said. Their spokesman, Captain Christopher Colster said that their soldiers patrolled for almost five hours on the west side of the Arghandab River – the exact location where the Afghan Ministry of Defense said the Taliban initially attacked. The soldiers didn’t make any contact with militants and said there were no signs of fleeing civilians either.

“In talking to our folks they do not have any imminent concern that Kandahar is about to fall to the Taliban,” said United States Department of Defense press secretary Geoff Morrell from Washington.

Nonetheless, hundreds of families, most of which are farmers, fled the district. At the same time the Afghan army soldiers rushed in. They were the ones who told the people to flee. They fear that a major battle will be coming soon. While a NATO aircraft dropped leaflets from above Arghandab, informing the residents to stay in their homes: “Keep your families safe. When there is fighting near your home, stay inside” the leaflet said.

Nobody wanted to take chances. More than 700 families of almost 4,000 people fled the district. An Afghan police officer reported that the families moved through the east side of the Arghandab River. While on the west side, the Taliban army was already in control of their villages.

“Last night the people were afraid, and families on tractors, trucks and taxis fled the area,” said the officer. “Small bridges inside the villages have been destroyed.”

“[Taliban] told us to leave the area within 24 hours because they want to fight foreign and Afghan troops,” said one farmer. “But within a week we should be harvesting, and we were expecting a good one. Now with this fighting we are deeply worried – the grapes are the only source of income we have.”

Ever since being driven out of their bases, the Taliban have been eyeing Arghandab – it will provide the perfect location to strike back; with good hiding positions and the proximity to the big city.

“From a strategic military point of view, Arghandab is a very good place for the Taliban,” said the council member. “Arghandab is close to Kandahar city, allowing the Taliban to launch ambushes and attacks more easily than any other place in the province. Secondly, it’s covered with trees and gardens – they can easily hide from air strikes.”

This was confirmed by a telephone conversation between the Taliban and the Associated Press:

“We want to fight until the death,” said Taliban commander Mullah Ahmedullah. “We’ve occupied most of the area and it’s a good place for fighting. Now we are waiting for the NATO and Afghan forces.”

This was the latest display of strength by the Taliban since their ousting in 2001… and despite a record number of United States and NATO troops in the country. After pleading for additional troops over the last year, the coalition now has 65,000 soldiers all over the country. Apparently, this is not enough.

The commander further confirmed the earlier reported number; 400 Taliban insurgents moved into the district and that most of them were from the earlier prison break. He also confirmed to the AP reporter that Kandahar is the main target; it is still regarded as their main stronghold.

They Can’t Handle the Truth

“We’re coming off of two difficult events in Kandahar province – the break-in to the prison and the Arghandab fighting,” said United States Ambassador to Kabul William Wood from Washington – confirming the reality of the Taliban attack.

But he is not convinced of a takeover: “I would like to point out that six months ago, there was also fighting in Arghandab and there was lots of headlines then that said Arghandab is about to fall and that wasn’t right then and it’s not going to be right now.”

He knows that the Taliban does not have the support of the people this time: “The Taliban can raise a lot of dust at any given moment and a given point. They can’t stay. They don’t have the loyalty of the people,” Wood told the press.

According to reports, the combined Afghan and NATO troops killed 35 Taliban rebels Wednesday in what was considered as a clean-up operation. According to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, two Taliban commanders were killed. They used chopper gunships to drive out the militants that were entrenched in the villages in Arghandab. In the ensuing gunfight two Afghan soldiers were also killed.

The choppers, flying high over the Arghandab River, fired rockets at Taliban posts at the west side of the river (confirming the earlier account of the Afghan police officer that NATO disregarded).

NATO armored vehicles moved throughout the district, as more helicopters flew in low up the valley, while others landed at the already heavily guarded district center of Arghandab. The shops in its bazaar are now closed and the streets are guarded by soldiers of the Afghan National Army. This is how the district looks like now; when only a few days ago, United States officials denied any Taliban presence.

But the coalition still expects little resistance. Lieutenant Colonel Dave Corbould of the Canadian battle group said that the Taliban “do not appear to have the foothold that they have apparently claimed.”

After their first gunfire exchange, the coalition said they expected the operation to take only a few days.

Kandahar Governor Asadullah Khaled agrees that his province, which used to be a Taliban stronghold, is now safe from possible takeover. He said that the Taliban are already on the defensive in Arghandab. Further movement to his capital is no longer possible. He said that the operation is taking more time than usual because they were taking utmost precaution not to hurt the innocent families in the region.

They have also confirmed the presence of foreign militants. After air strikes on the villages of Kohak and Nagan, bodies of 16 insurgents were recovered – including foreign Pakistani and Arab militants.

The Real Victims of War

One farmer said he had already evacuated his family to the city the previous day. But he was back at his village when the gun battle erupted. He had no choice but to return – his wheat was already ripe. “What can we do,” he said. “I am very worried about my wheat harvest; if fighting is prolonged we will lose the harvest.”

Another one said he left everything and fled as early as Tuesday with only his cattle. “They are so expensive and if I don’t bring them down they will die,” he said. “If they die it means my family will die because they are the only resource that my family relies on.”

During the initial assault by the Taliban, they urged these people to join them. The terrorist group used to have their support. This was a former stronghold. But not anymore. The people have realized that they are better off without them. And now that they have returned, the people want nothing to do with them.

How’s your war, Uncle Sam?

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Baghdad Under Attacks

Above: US raid on the Iraqi capital Baghdad (Photo: www.thewe.cc)

Okay, so it’s a no-brainer that one of the most powerful nations at present is America and George W. Bush, being its president, inevitably makes him one of the most powerful persons on earth.

At present, the world is having two major wars – in Afghanistan and Iraq. But is this really an inevitable war between or among countries or is it a war that America wanted and started? What exactly is the role of the US in these difficult times?

The planet used to be a better place than its present state, but the 9/11 bombings changed it all. The United States was attacked and hundreds died. It was a carefully-designed terrorist act which gave America sufficient reason to demand for justice.

George W. Bush

Above: How’s your war Mr. Bush? (Photo: www.greenpeace.org)

George Bush was supposed to be on the right track until he insisted on waging war against suspected countries that embrace Bin Laden. Bush initiated War in Afghanistan immediately after 9/11 to dissolve al-Qaeda and its connections, but to this date not a shadow of Bin Laden was found and the terrorist group still operates actively. The Taliban government was overthrown but still remains a headache to George Bush. The reality in Afghanistan continues to haunt and compels us to ask – Did the United States after all achieve its purpose for the War it started in 2001?

To make the situations worse, Bush then engaged in a massive propaganda linking Iraq to al-Qaeda and the country’s weapons of mass destruction. America took its case to the United Nations but to the dismay of George Bush, the U.N. disapproved. Irritated and impatient, Bush and America waged War on Iraq, overthrew its government, captured and executed Saddam Hussein, and eventually missed its purpose. Iraq has become a more hostile country than ever and not a single mass destruction weapon has been uncovered.

Condoleza Rice

Above: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Afghanistan (AP Photo)

Yes, America suffered the 9/11 attacks and hundreds of lives were taken by the merciless terrorist act. On the other hand, we know that many more innocent people died of George Bush’s retaliatory wars – to date, there must be already about not less than 840,000 people that have been killed and over 1.5 million seriously injured in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and the numbers are still on the rise. Now, we simply stare at these two nations paying the price for being not America.

11 Afghan Police Killed While Sleeping

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Afghan Police

Above: Afghan police, face serious danger

Taliban militants pulled off a sneak attack on Monday, killing 11 policemen sleeping on a mud floor in southern Afghanistan. They crept through groves of grape vines and pomegranate trees and struck at midnight. The small police outpost is found 15 miles north of Kandahar – a former Taliban stronghold.

The first casualty was an officer on the roof of the compound who was supposed to keep watch of the premises and the surrounding area. Afterwards, the Taliban easily gained access into the compound, walked straight inside, and peppered the officers sleeping on mattresses and blankets on the dirt floor.

There were a total of twelve officers in the outpost – only one survived with serious wounds.

Afghan border police commander Bismullah Khan said it appeared that the insurgents were disguised in police uniforms and there were indications that the attack on the walled compound was an inside job.

“Initial investigations indicate that one of the policemen had ties with the Taliban. The Taliban infiltrated the post and opened fire on the police – there was no exchange of fire.”

We think he’s just trying to powder up for the media. The Taliban could have easily butchered his forces, with or without disguise or inside help.

The Taliban also seized the police vehicles and weapons in the outpost.

The ambush leads to the most casualties in a string of recent attacks on Afghan police in the south. Eight policemen were killed Saturday: four were killed while on a mission destroying opium poppies in Kandahar and four more while manning a checkpoint in Helmand. Seven others were also killed from another anti-poppy mission last April 7, also in Kandahar.

Opium and all refined opiates such as morphine, thebaine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine are extracted from these opium. The seeds are important food items, and contain healthy oils used in salads worldwide – but its main use in Kandahar is for drug production, which eventually funds Taliban militia.

The United States has already spent more than $4 billion to train and equip these Afghan police in the last three years – just last year, 76,000 Kalashnikov rifles, 56,000 pistols and 3,500 vehicles were provided for their perusal.

The U.S. military also began a low-level district training program this year – hoping to improve police capabilities in lower ranks. The United States and its allies are very much relying on improvements in the Afghan army and police; so they could all start withdrawing their international forces from the country.

That picture remains very obscure.

The Afghan police remain easy targets for the Taliban. Compared to the Afghan army or NATO soldiers, these officials have far less training and even less firepower against the Taliban.

Working in small teams also doesn’t help. Stationed in remote areas, they are easily overwhelmed by even the smallest of Taliban assault teams – although the assaulting party on this attack was said to be 50 by Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi.

Taliban militants often suffer devastating losses when they attack U.S. or NATO forces. According to reports, they have already given up on ambush attempts against the increasingly capable Afghan army.

“The Taliban are going to attack those who they deem most vulnerable,” said a U.S. official in charge of training. “They’re out there in the community, policing, protecting and serving, and unfortunately they are vulnerable.”

Another Bombing in Afghanistan

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Car Bomb
File Photo: car bomb in Baghdad

Another suicide bomber set off an explosion on Monday as he drove his car near a Canadian troop convoy. The attack happened on a crowded border town street and killed 36 civilians. The explosion wounded three Canadian soldiers that are part of the NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Much more of the wounded however were innocent bystanders.

The day before, another suicide bomber blew himself up at a dogfighting event. The death toll from that incident had already risen from yesterday’s 80 to today’s 100.

The Taliban had already claimed responsibility for this new attack. Spokesperson Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said the bomber was a certain Abdul Rahman who was also from the Kandahar Province. He denied that the attack had wounded or killed any civilians. But reports say otherwise. He also added that they killed 10 Canadian soldiers and several polive officers. This statement is also not true.

The total death toll of the two consecutive attacks is at 140, the most since the Taliban were “defeated” in 2001; although the Taliban had denied involvement in the previous day’s bombing. Reports say that the bombings in the area are sending a message to the Kabul government – to further weaken their efforts to establish peace in the region. Attacks have been geared towards more casualty and more civilians.

“The attacks show that the enemies of Afghanistan are changing their tactics,” said Nasrullah Stanikzai, a political science professor at Kabul University. “They wanted to cause such big casualties in these attacks to weaken the morale of the government and the international community, to show the world the Afghan government is too weak to prevent them.”

Kandahar Province Governor Asadullah Khaled complained that the Canadian forces had failed to follow their government’s warning to stay away from the border with Pakistan – mainly due to the previous day’s attack.

The United States Army is sending 3,200 more Marines in April. This is in addition to the 28,000 troops already in the country (a record for the US).

Suicide Bombing Hits Afghanistan

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Afghan Attack

Above: The bombing scene

The bombing (pictured above) killed the police chief, Abdul Hakim Jan (a prominent anti-Taliban commander), some guards and most of the villagers (including six children according to reports) attending a dog fighting event in the Argandab district, just outside the city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. He wounded 90 more in the attack

“Thousands of people were watching the dogs fighting, including young children and old people. People had come from different parts of Kandahar Province.”

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led international condemnation the suicide attack. Afterwards the U.S. and British government followed suit. “The extremists offer nothing but violence and death,” said White House National Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. “The Afghan people will not allow them to stop the march to democracy and security.”

Kandahar’s governor, Assadullah Khalid, announced in a statement that the bombing was the work of Afghanistan’s enemies – a loose term used to refer to Taliban.

The Taliban denied involvement in the matter. This was according to Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi. Kandahar is considered as one of the old strongholds of the Taliban. Dog fighting is still a popular pastime for Afghans. It was banned by the Taliban during its 1996-2001 rule.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have been victims of more and more violent attacks – casualties increasing each time. This is believed to be the result of more powerful and sophisticated explosives (those with packed ball bearings like in the movie “The Kingdom”). In the past few years, bombings in Afghanistan geared towards foreign soldiers often kill only a few bystanders. Now as they attack their own countrymen, they “upgraded” into crowded places where innocent civilians are involved.

Two European Diplomats Expelled from Afghanistan, Drug crisis probable cause

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Opium Heroin Growth Pakistan

Above: Opium in Pakistan Map

Two Diplomats from Europe Michael Semple the E.U.‘s deputy head of the EU mission in Afghanistan and Mervyn Patterson the U.N.’s representative in Afghanistan were expelled from the country whilst visiting the Helmand province of Musa Qala only recently taken from Taliban control by a coalition of UK, EU and Afghanistan forces.

Brief history of Michael Semple:

Has been involved in campaigning for aid for Afghanistan to avoid famine, poverty, corruption and tirany in his time travelling with the Afghan people. He is widely regarded as being the most locally adept and involved Westerner to visit Afghanistan. He is the one of the most recognised authorities in the understanding of the tribal hierrarchy of Afghanistan, outside of the tribal people themselves obviously.

Brief history of Mr. Patterson:

Mr. Patterson wrote a book about land ownership and tennure in Afghanistan and also has a broad and varied knowledge of Afghanistan.

A spokeswoman for the EU’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana, whose office employs Mr Semple, said talks were ongoing. “We are in diplomatic contact with the Karzai government regarding Mr Semple and we expect that we will have an outcome of this situation in hours or in a day or so at the maximum,” she said. “This is nothing to be alarmed about. Our impression is that this is a misunderstanding…… We are in discussions. He might have to leave, or he might be able to stay.” She said Mr Semple was not a full-time EU official, but a senior adviser to the EU’s representation office in Kabul who was employed on contract. Mr Semple pictured below, whose family live in Pakistan, is paid by the Irish Government, he is under the day-to-day control of senior European officials involved with improving stability and security namely the “EU mission in Afghanistan,” his superior is EU special representative for Afghanistan Francesc Vendrell (Left) pictured here below with Amabassador in Afghanistan from the U.K. Sherard Cowper-Coles (Middle) and Semple (Right)

Semple, UK Ambassador in Afghanistan and His Boss Vendrell

The Area of Hemland and why the officials were in the area

Hemland an area rife with Opium and the related crime problems that come with it.

It is believed that a lot of the opium farmers came from the province of Nimroz which had a 1370% increase in Heroin production as Helmand is even more remote and poorly policed. For instance 2 Police officials were killed by an explosion on the 4th October 2006 after carrying out searches for Opium on seperate farms. It was never confirmed wether they hit a landmine or it was a car bomb. Either way it was not an accident. On the same day the farmers of the Hemland province about 400 of them instucted the British legal firm of Leigh Day and Co. to lodge a civil action on their behalf stating breach of contract with the U.K. Government. No more information on this deal seems to be easily available. Paul Flynn explains about a previous deal which fell through with these farmers in a debate within West Minster, advising he had to get more info by using the freedom of information act , this info is from his own website. This was published some time in this year 2007. Paul Flynn M.P. – “We see now, however, that we have not secured a double victory but, if anything, a double catastrophe. We have been reminded of the drugs situation. Not only has Britain taken the lead, but the spending will increase to more than £200 million—we have spent more than £100 million already,

Troops Helmand

£21 million of which has disappeared without trace and greatly antagonised the Taliban farmers. It was meant to be paid to them in compensation, but it disappeared in what for the past two centuries has been the endemically corrupt system of government in Afghanistan—there is a long history of that. Freedom of information investigations have turned up some of the documents that were needed for the farmers whose crops were destroyed in 2003 to receive the compensation due to them.

Taliban Helmand

Above: Taliban taking a rest.

These farmers kept their side of the deal and eradicated their crops, but the British Government did not keep their word,’ said Mohammad Gull, a local representative from the Sharwali District in Helmand who was involved in the initial negotiations with the British representatives. ‘In our culture this is very dishonorable and we are very angry.’

In an annual survey of opium production released yesterday, the UN reported that Helmand province had produced 48 per cent more opium compared to its record-breaking crop last year. Opium production in Afghanistan as a whole will reach a “frighteningly new level” at 8,200 tons, 34 per cent higher than last year, the report said.

This is the reason more than likely why these two were in the area, to calm down the people on the ground. Possibly this is why a spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said they were “involved in some activities that were not their jobs”.

President Hamid Karzai

Above: President Hamid Karzai

One of the members of the party travelling with Mr. Semple and Mr. Patterson had 20,000 $, considering the annual wage in the region is 50$ per year then this would be enough to pay off a small village or possibly a small band of farmers more than likely though this money was simply there to enable them to travel freely through the countryside which is heavily corrupt and dangerous. Also, it was an Afghan person who was carrying the money which may mean that neither of the officials knew about it but that’s unlikely to be fair. These two officials were not strangers to the area.