The 2013 figures are coming in for civilian death tolls in the Afghan War, and the news is universally bad, showing a 14 percent spike in civilian deaths across the board, putting 2013 right near the top of the 12-year war.
Most disturbingly, the casualty rate among children is soaring, much higher than the overall civilian rate. 561 children were killed and 1,195 others were wounded in 2013, a 34 percent increase over 2012.
The shift from NATO to Afghan troops taking the lead in security appears not to have seriously improved the situation on the ground for locals, with the numbers NATO used to kill more than made up for by the Afghan military.
Indeed, from 2012 to 2013, the casualty rates from “pro-government forces” on civilians increased 59 percent. 182 casualties were directly attributed to NATO itself, almost exclusively from air strikes, a figure which was itself nearly three times the prior year.
"What you sow, so shall you reap."
For a country (USA) which touts itself as a Christian nation, I'm amazed at the lengths it will go, both officially and by many of its common people, to justify its non-Christian activities around the world, but especially in the areas where the US is waging wars of aggression. They continually contend that they're interested in protecting the children but what is really happening is they are building a future where out children will not be safe – anywhere. Many around the world understand the difference between Americans and the American government. That distinction is being blurred by the continuing acceptance by the American people of what the USG is doing in our names around the world. Sitting silently by as the USG savages the innocent of the world will no longer be ignored – and our children will pay for out transgressions.
Perhaps they are hoping that the Apocalypse will happen soon and save them from having to explain to their children what they did to them.
There is going to no redemption.
Looks like American training is going very well. They are learning from the best.