As Afghan IEDs Soar, US Commanders Blame Pakistan
Officials Say 'Majority' of IEDs' Fertilizer Came From Pakistan
With a new report of IEDs showing the crude explosives being used in record numbers if Afghanistan, the US military is once again pointing the finger at Pakistan, saying most of those pesky bombs are Pakistan’s fault.
Not that the IEDs actually came from Pakistan, mind you. Rather, officials say the vast majority of IEDs use explosives made of calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer, a kind of fertilizer produced in Pakistan.
“The border is a sieve,” complained Navy Capt. Douglas Borrebach, adding that the border checkpoints weren’t going to help in stemming the flow of fertilizer from the fertilizer-rich Pakistanis to the agriculture-heavy Afghans.
Officials didn’t have any real “answer” to the problem of fertilizer, and indeed with the 2,430 km long border its hard to imagine that something as relatively common as fertilizer could ever be totally barred from the nation.
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Avi
October 2nd, 2011 at 8:45 pm
A month from now, at the behest of AIPAC, an American commander will announce that most IEDs come from Turkey. And should Egyptian protestors storm the US embassy in Cairo, American generals will blame the IEDs on Egypt.
I'm fairly certain Iran is glad that Pakistan has replaced it as the boogeyman du jour.
Brad_Smith2
October 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
The Brits drew a line in the sand and expected the Taliban (the army of the Pashtun) to ignore it. We know better, yet we fight on. Why?
We couldn't defeat Northern Vietnam with wholesale attacks on Cambodia and Laos. What makes them think that drones will work when B52 bombers couldn't?
Wait 20 years and send in the Capitalists that will work faster and help them rebuild without our tax dollars being wasted. (not to mention the loss of lives)
Brad_Smith2
October 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
The Brits drew a line in the sand and expected the Taliban (the army of the Pashtun) to ignore it. We know better, yet we fight on. Why?
We couldn't defeat Northern Vietnam with wholesale attacks on Cambodia and Laos. What makes them think that drones will work when B52 bombers couldn't?
Wait 20 years and send in the Capitalists, that will work faster and help them rebuild without our tax dollars being wasted. (not to mention the loss of lives)
mat
October 2nd, 2011 at 11:29 pm
they arnt real capitalists
bob35983
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:48 am
But this cannot be! Seems only yesterday it was Iran…
Druthers
October 3rd, 2011 at 3:06 am
Oups, did they forget about Iran? Or are there traveling factories that go from country to country depending on the needs of the Pentagior for a "new enemy?"
Popsiq
October 3rd, 2011 at 3:18 am
What? They're NOT coming out of Iran???
liveload
October 3rd, 2011 at 4:26 am
So this report just dissed the Iranians.
They're just not as fashionable today.
Pakistan is so much more in vogue.
John_Muhammad
October 3rd, 2011 at 4:48 am
If I were the Grande El Presidente of Pakistan I think I might issue some not-so-secret orders to have my nuclear arsenal "inspected for readiness". I think I might order a study on what industries can be rapidly converted to chemical and/or biological weapons production. I might start making serious overtures to China and/or Russia to see if either would offer to station large numbers of 'advisors' to help me modernize my military.
If I were Hamza the Plumber in Pakistan I think it would be very wise to start stocking up on food and ammo- I have a feeling I'd be needing both very soon given the track record of the US propaganda machine prepping the battlefield prior to invasion.
John Ellis
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:06 am
Terrorism being vengeance in action, there is a nationalized industry and non-profit corporation called Afghan IED’s, where the majority of people are freedom fighting terrorists who build and plant fertilizer bombs in a way best designed to achieve freedom. Or so they envision.
John Ellis
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:19 am
At one time there was an order by the US military, such that anytime an IED exploded, all civilians in the vicinity were to be shot dead, “360 degree firepower.” Reason being that most upsetting was it for our troop to see all the civilians around them clapping, cheering and smiling — while their buddies were dying.
wichi62
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:26 am
Well, the topedo that destroys the south korean submarine, was made using German components…. ok USA lets blame Germany and bomb them!!….. ups!!…. I realize that all the drugs dealers in Mexico uses guns made in USA.., let's blame and bomb USA!!
Yonatan
October 3rd, 2011 at 8:01 am
But, but, but they come from Iran. It must be true – the US military told us so.
The truth perhaps lies elsewhere?
http://cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com/2005/10/bombs-…
"It seems as if, according to an ex-agent, back in the early '90's the IRA were working on infra-red detonation for their bombs. Hearing this, members of the shadowy army undercover outfit, the Force Research Unit, and officers from MI5 decided, amazingly, that "if they were intimate with the technology, then they could develop counter-measures, thereby staying one step ahead of the IRA". They promptly gave the IRA the technology they needed – and they promptly shared it with Farc guerrillas in Colombia, the Basque separatists, ETA and Palestinian groups – and thus to Iraq."
thedissenter
October 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 am
Iran must be very happy to see that, as of late, all roads lead to Pakistan not Iran. And this is the footprint for how to justify a war of aggression and expansionism a-la-Iraq 2003.
Jamie N
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Iran may be happy but its time they all fight togeather with Russia and Chinas and North Koreas help.America and Israel need to be stoped besides all there evil everythinmg they say is a lie.
Roger Lafontaine
October 3rd, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I don't think they want to invade either Pakistan or Iran. I think they just want to give the American sheep a good reason to stay over there 'so they won't come over here'.
Valerianus
October 3rd, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Oh, the IEDs come out of whichever country is most convenient for the US to have them come from.
lee
October 3rd, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I think most ot the drone attacks can be traced to a container in New Mexico too!
masmanz
October 3rd, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Don't forget that 9/11 attack too was hatched in Germany.
Jamie
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Pakistan I hope is ready and I hope China and Russia along with many other stand togeather.Iran should also get involved because its right and they are the next target if not the first.The world needs to stand vas one against these criminal baby killers.They wqill thewn realize they have made a very bad caculation.T5he American soldiers are sick of fighting these illegal wars and need to refuse.I'm Canadian and would only fight if we were invade4d like the freedom fighters in the Middle East.