Officials had previously talked of the NATO invasion of Kandahar Province as something happening in late spring or early summer. Using the Marjah offensive as a guide, a massive number of US and allied troops would invade Kandahar city and the surrounding region.
But something changed at some point, and according to Gen. Stanley McChrystal that plan has been shelved in favor of a steady escalation over “the weeks and months ahead.” Beyond that, he says, the offensive has already begun.
In part this may be the result of increased Taliban aggressiveness in Kandahar, with weekend blasts in the city killing at least 35 people and injuring another 57. The Taliban has said the attacks are a warning to NATO.
The blasts have led President Karzai to conclude that he needs to send additional security forces to Kandahar. Though the Taliban seemed contented to let the threatened offensive against the sparsely populated farming community of Marjah just happen, Kandahar’s size and importance likely means they are unwilling to just sit idly by while NATO masses troops.
But with months of escalation ahead, McChrystal was unwilling to project when the pledged conquest of Kandahar would be complete. In the meantime it seems the residents of one of Afghanistan’s most populous cities will be living in the midst of an ever-growing military offensive.
Is the brave brave General destined to become the Custer of his time?
But no, if Custer had had drones and night goggles we would have shown those Indians
I doubt it.
Another Custer is surely a real possibility in Afghanistan. NATO committed suicide in attacking Yugoslavia. It is now a corpse wandering around Afghanistan looking for 1842. The Afghanis, even the ones that seem to be "allies" now, will surely exert themselves to give the Americans and NATO what they are looking for sooner or later.
Mainland China may also at some point down the road play a key role, depending on how impolite US deadbeats turn out to be when it comes to paying what they owe.
On verra.
The fact that the same general can say they are still looking for Bin Laden is unadulterated theater of the absurd. Two wars and eight years later looking for a ghost. Even saying it is a declaration of complete incompetence.
does leaving your base and attacking the surrounding towns count as an invasion?
It looks as though everything "counts." How many towns does a General have to "capture" to get another decoration?
It looks as though everything "counts." How many towns does a General have to "capture" to get another decoration?
karzai sending troops someplace? Please. karzai doesn't make decisions.