Taliban Expected to Launch Offensive This Winter

[babylonsister]

Taliban Expected to Launch Offensive This Winter
Intelligence Shows Taliban Plans to Launch Offensive Amid Extreme Weather
By Spencer Ackerman 9/23/08 8:24 AM


KABUL, Afghanistan — Since Afghans took up arms against the Soviet occupation in 1979, insurgency in war-torn Afghanistan has followed a cyclical pattern. The spring and the summer are for fighting. The winter — which, particularly along the mountainous, porous eastern border with Pakistan, can feature six-foot snowbanks — is for regrouping. Until, perhaps, now.

U.S. military officials are warning that intelligence now indicates that the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan plans to launch major operations this winter. While those officials publicly claim they’re prepared for a winter offensive, it would place U.S. counterinsurgency efforts in unfamiliar territory, with little precedent to guide them. It would likely entail a major escalation of insurgent aggression to cap off what has already been the bloodiest year for the U.S. military in the seven-year war.

“This kind of thing raises alarm bells,” said Vikram Singh, who worked on counterinsurgency and South Asia issues at the Pentagon from 2003 to 2007.

Winter in Afghanistan begins in about one month. The weather became notably cooler during a two-week trip to the country that just ended. In eastern Afghanistan, cloud formations highlighted by a non-commissioned officer with the 1-61 Cavalry indicated the coming severity of a winter so cold it can typically freeze metal pipes on military bases.

more...

http://washingtonindependent.com/6855/taliban-fighting-to-make-a-hot-winter-in-afghanistan

[gateley]

1. This administration has cried wolf too many times. We are skeptical of

warnings from US military officials and intelligence sources.

[FVZA_Colonel]

2. I didn't think you did Winter Fighting at all really, and especially in that part of the world.

But then this is an unconventional war, one the Bush Administration is maliciously unprepared to fight.

[babylonsister]

5. Normally they don't; that's why this is so unusual. nt

[EFerrari]

3. Yeah. The Taliban is going to mount an offensive IN THE WINTER.

LOL

[dkofos]

4. History tells me this is bushit.