General Stanley McChrystal: US Surge in Afghanistan Succeeding

[NJmaverick]

WASHINGTON – The commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan said on Monday that a US troop buildup in Afghanistan had started to turn the tide against the Taliban. “We’ve been at this for about seven months now and I believe we’ve made progress,” General Stanley McChrystal said in an interview with ABC television. But he added: “It’s not a completed mission yet.” President Barack Obama last month approved McChrystal’s request for a major increase in US troops in Afghanistan, ordering 30,000 reinforcements. The general recounted a recent meeting in the Helmand river valley in the country’s south — a former Taliban stronghold — as an example of progress underway. “When I sit in an area that the Taliban controlled only seven months ago and now you meet with a shura of elders and they describe with considerable optimism the future, you sense the tide is turning,” he said in remarks posted on the US network’s website. Asked if NATO-led forces were shifting the momentum against Taliban insurgents, the general said: “I believe we’re doing it right now. “I believe we’ve changed the way we operate in Afghanistan. We’ve changed some of our structures. I believe we are on the way to convincing the Afghan people that we are here to protect them.” But he said time was short. “I think that clock is in the minds of the Afghan people, so I do feel that we have got to move quickly to convince them that we can help them build a country,” he said. (AFP)

http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/index1.html#

[theoldman]

1. Too soon to tell.

That is what Mao said 150 years after the French revolution. The point Mao was making was that we should not judge too quickly.

[NJmaverick]

10. You're right, it is too soon to tell, but these are certainly good signs

which are infinitely better than bad ones.

[Enrique]

2. a whole bunch of nothing

"It's not a completed mission yet." Thanks, Stan, we didn't realize that. :eyes:

[seeinfweggos]

3. let's hope

[spanone]

4. what else would he say?

[NJmaverick]

8. He has a pretty grim assessment in August

here is the report

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/Assessment_Redacted_092109.pdf

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. It's the Light at the End of the Tunnel....again. Pretty soon they'll capture Hanoi.

And, stop all those falling dominoes.

[Bjorn Against]

6. April 2003: McChrystal announces to press that major combat operations in Iraq are over

14 April 2003
Pentagon Says U.S. Winding Down Air Campaign Over Iraq

(Also notes first meeting by free Iraqi leaders planned for April 15)
(1080)
By Jacquelyn S. Porth
Washington File Security Affairs Writer
A senior U.S. military officer says the air campaign over Iraq is
winding down and two aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf are
planning to pull out this week and head home now that "major combat
operations are over."

snip

Army Major General Stanley McChrystal, vice director of operations for
the Joint Staff, told reporters at the daily Pentagon update on Iraq
April 14 that that day would be the last that aircraft would fly from
all five battle carrier groups, and that two of the carriers would
depart the region in the next few days.

These military and political activities are transpiring as the
coalition is moving toward its goal of establishing "a safe and secure
environment throughout Iraq," McChrystal said, to be achieved through
a "rolling" effort whereby safety and security would occur at
different time points as conditions permit. "As major combat
operations wind down," he said, "we'll still conduct some minor combat
operations ---- to include some sharp fights in areas -- and adjust
our operations in each area."

snip

As further evidence that the intensity of the military campaign is
diminishing, McChrystal said the number of daily air sorties over Iraq
has dropped from around 1,000 to 700 or 800 per day. The number of
precision-guided munitions dropped over a 24-hour period is also down
to around 200, he said. Even as the numbers decline and redeployments
are made, the military official said coalition forces continue to
patrol Iraq "with due diligence."

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iraq/2003/iraq-030414-usia01.htm


On edit: it should be noted that Bush did not give his famous "Mission Accomplished" speech until May 1st, which means McChrystal was announcing an end to combat operations more than two weeks before Bush did.

[NJmaverick]

9. The article you post, conflicts with your headline claims

plus your suggestion that the General will only report good news, is an inaccurate one. Check out this grim report on Afghanistan in August

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/Assessment_Redacted_092109.pdf

[Bjorn Against]

19. The article says exactly what my headline claimed

My headline says "April 2003: McChrystal announces to press that major combat operations in Iraq are over". The article I linked to quotes McChrystal directly saying "major combat operations are over". Where is the contradiction?

I never suggested the general "will only report good news", you dishonestly put those words in my mouth. Whether he is reporting good news or bad news however, the fact is that anyone who told the press that "major combat operations are over" in Iraq before even Bush wrongly made that claim is lacking in credibility.

[zipplewrath]

7. They are basically indigenous

You can't "run them out" of the country. The Taliban are basically an indigenous group of people, or at least transient in the area. We have "run them off" before. The core problem is the sustain internal conflicts which create the corruption. As soon as we leave, the Taliban will leverage these conflicts to return.

[bigtree]

11. so good

. . . he just can't stop himself.


This general has a more pessimistic assessment . . .


‘Afghan Insurgency Can Sustain Itself Indefinitely’: Top U.S. Intel Officer

The Taliban not only has the “momentum” after the most successful year in its campaign against the United States and the Kabul government. “The Afghan insurgency can sustain itself indefinitely,” according to a briefing from Major General Michael Flynn, the top U.S. intelligence officer in the country. “The Taliban retains the required partnerships to sustain support, fuel legitimacy and bolster capacity.”

And if that isn’t enough, Flynn also warns that “time is running out” for the American-lead International Security Assistance Force. “Regional instability is rapidly increasing and getting worse,” the report says.

___ Flynn’s December 23rd presentation on the “State of the Insurgency: Trends, Intentions and Objectives” may be the gloomiest public assessment of the war yet. The “loosely organized” Taliban is “growing more cohesive” and “increasingly effective.” The insurgents now have their own “governors” installed in 33 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. And the “strength and ability of that shadow governance increasing,” according to the presentation. The Taliban’s “organizational capabilities and operational reach are qualitatively and geographically expanding.”


___ The presentation also cast doubt on some of the war’s stated central aims. The Obama administration has repeatedly said that additional troops are necessary to prevent a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan — which would then allow Al Qaeda the re-establigh its safe haven there. According to interviews with detainees, however, the insurgents “view Al Qaeda as a handicap – a view that is increasingly prevalent.” The Taliban feel they have to “manage the relationship with AQ to avoid alienating Afghan population, but encourage support from the global jihad network.”

Flynn’s presentation also, indirectly, warns that one of the central U.S. tactics in Pakistan — drone strikes against suspected militants — could backfire. “violations of Pakistan sovereignty may contribute to radicalizing the population and diminishes credibility of the GoP (Government of Pakistan).” Such violations “demonstrate an inability of the government; perception they cannot protect their own; exacerbates anti-western sentiment.”


read more: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/01/afghan-insurgency-can-sustain-itself-indefinitely-top-us-intel-officer

[NJmaverick]

12. That report is nearly a month old

[bigtree]

13. you're ignoring the facts from this ***DEC. 23rd*** report

. . . by pretending the situation described by the Senior Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan has changed in one month.

All of these have reversed since Dec. 23rd? Really?

"“The Taliban retains the required partnerships to sustain support, fuel legitimacy and bolster capacity.”

“Regional instability is rapidly increasing and getting worse,”

The “loosely organized” Taliban is “growing more cohesive” and “increasingly effective.” The insurgents now have their own “governors” installed in 33 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. And the “strength and ability of that shadow governance increasing,” according to the presentation. The Taliban’s “organizational capabilities and operational reach are qualitatively and geographically expanding.”

___ The presentation also cast doubt on some of the war’s stated central aims. The Obama administration has repeatedly said that additional troops are necessary to prevent a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan — which would then allow Al Qaeda the re-establigh its safe haven there. According to interviews with detainees, however, the insurgents “view Al Qaeda as a handicap – a view that is increasingly prevalent.” The Taliban feel they have to “manage the relationship with AQ to avoid alienating Afghan population, but encourage support from the global jihad network.”

. . . drone strikes against suspected militants — could backfire. “violations of Pakistan sovereignty may contribute to radicalizing the population and diminishes credibility of the GoP (Government of Pakistan).” Such violations “demonstrate an inability of the government; perception they cannot protect their own; exacerbates anti-western sentiment.”


You are either bullshitting or delusional.

[NJmaverick]

14. You should read the entire report that you posted

as you will see even your general considers the conflict winnable. You can't just cherry pick the bad and ignore the rest. Perhaps it's my ability to look at the entire picture that has you thinking I must be "delusional". I don't just look for facts that fit my views and ingore the rest. I look at facts and then form my opinions.

[bigtree]

15. the facts in the report contradict McChrystals' rosy assessment of progress

You've chosen here to ignore the very significant setbacks described by the Senior Intelligence Officer on the ground and are relying instead on McChrystals' rhetoric that the mission is 'succeeding'.

One is a painstakingly prepared intelligence report, the other is summary propaganda designed to gloss over these very real and pernicious setbacks and challenges; none of them directly contradicted by McChrystal or you.


The dishonesty in that one statement of yours is just astounding:

"I don't just look for facts that fit my views and ingore the rest. I look at facts and then form my opinions."

Just astounding.

[NJmaverick]

16. They differ but they don't directly contradict. They are talking about

different aspects of the war. You also have to remember that the motives behind the report you posted. Your report was intended to shake up the military establishment and the intelligence community, to enact some badly needed changes.


As for dishonesty, don't you dare pretend you have the athority to speak on that topic.

[bigtree]

18. as I said

McChrystal doesn't even address the issues raised in the intelligence report in his summary statements. The report gets to the heart of the president's primary justifications for his escalation of the occupation.

It concludes: Taliban in Afghanistan is increasingly disassociated from al-Qaeda; regional animosity is increasing; Taliban is consolidating their political power and influence; The “loosely organized” Taliban is “growing more cohesive” and “increasingly effective;" The Taliban’s “organizational capabilities and operational reach are qualitatively and geographically expanding . . . ”

But you claim these are "different aspects of the war" than McChrystal is referring to? You're really spinning hard now.

"Asked if NATO-led forces were shifting the momentum against Taliban insurgents, the general said: “I believe we’re doing it right now.“

[robdogbucky]

20. Ah, 0 recs and sinkinig fast

Why do you think that is?

Bye, Bye Bertie

Here are some facts for ya:


Afghans losing hope after 8 years of war

http://wire.antiwar.com/2010/01/09/afghans-losing-hope-...

"It's a disaster," said Ramazan Bashardost, a lawmaker who came in a distant third in the country's botched August election, which was marred by fraud so widespread a third of Karzai's ballots were thrown out. "The situation is getting worse every day for ordinary Afghans."

According to Bashardost, about 80 percent of the country is without electricity and unemployment is 60 percent. Many families can only afford to eat once a day and corruption is so rampant, "it's practically legal," he said.

"People ask, 'What has democracy brought?'" he said. Besides helping keep warlords accused of war crimes in power, Bashardost added, "the answer is: insecurity."

Guerrilla attacks have made even provinces surrounding the capital unsafe. Hashimi said his family owns land in Wardak province, which neighbors the city, but he hasn't been home in years because the roads are too dangerous…"




Just my dos centavos


robdogbucky

[Mari333]

17. Gen. Mari333 "and Im the Queen of England". no, really, why would I lie

[amborin]

21. Not!