The speculative Battle of Marjah is set to begin, with NATO and Taliban forces squaring up for a clash unprecedented both in size and telegraphing since the 2001 invasion.
For what is ultimately a battle over the tiny village of Marjah and the surrounding farmland, the impending invasion has been trumpeted by US spokesmen for a solid month, giving the media plenty of time to size up the competitors like a professional prizefight, but also giving the Taliban ample advance notice over the invasion.
And while civilians stream out of the region, reports have the Taliban digging in, shoring up their defenses and planting explosives while bellicose US officials provide constant updates about how soon the invasion will be.
The invasion is mostly about propping up Karzai-appointee Haji Zair, the “governor” of the Marjah region who has been unable to travel there at all during his term. Indeed, Marjah has not been under the control of the Karzai government at all since the US invasion. It is also the first major offensive since the most recent Obama Administration escalation of the war. With growing controversy over the unpopular war, it seems the military is looking to make the offensive as high-profile as possible.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
hey its like fallujah with out tv cameras im sure the top brass is real excited
A big offensive to nowhere. Reminds me of the brain-dead WW1 generals and their 'big push'.
What was England doing there for eight Years ? i thought this Province was all under control? i guess the Colonialisers have lost their Touch.
And what will this prove?
The superior firepower of the US and its allies will win this battle with the sacrifice of a few American lives.
Then they will leave and the Taliban (Afghans) wll move back in and restablish the 'status quo" that has existed for the last hundred years
Go Obama.
Then they will leave and the Taliban (Afghans) wll move back in and restablish the 'status quo" that has existed for the last hundred years
afghanistan has no status que, they are not living in a time warp, but you can only have your country smashed to dust so many time in a hundred years
Somehow sarcasm seems lost in cyberspace