U.S. military campaign to topple resilient Taliban hasn't succeeded

[unhappycamper]

Criticism is rising in Washington about the coherence of the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. But troops on the ground have different measures of success.


U.S. military campaign to topple resilient Taliban hasn't succeeded
By Greg Miller
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 27, 2010; 12:47 AM

An intense military campaign aimed at crippling the Taliban has so far failed to inflict more than fleeting setbacks on the insurgency or put meaningful pressure on its leaders to seek peace, according to U.S. military and intelligence officials citing the latest assessments of the war in Afghanistan.

Escalated airstrikes and special operations raids have disrupted Taliban movements and damaged local cells. But officials said that insurgents have been adept at absorbing the blows and that they appear confident that they can outlast an American troop buildup set to subside beginning next July.

"The insurgency seems to be maintaining its resilience," said a senior Defense Department official involved in assessments of the war. Taliban elements have consistently shown an ability to "reestablish and rejuvenate," often within days of routed by U.S. forces, the official said, adding that if there is a sign that momentum has shifted, "I don't see it."

One of the military objectives in targeting mid-level commanders is to compel the Taliban to pursue peace talks with the Afghan government, a nascent effort that NATO officials have helped to facilitate.

The blunt intelligence assessments are consistent across the main spy agencies responsible for analyzing the conflict, including the CIA and the Defense Intelligence Agency, and come at a critical juncture. Officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.



unhappycamper comment: The next meme coming out of this quagmire: We can't go home yet! The job is not finished!

We saw this shit in Vietnam.

[jaxx]

1. Officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter

I always wonder who these people are. What is their motive for either blabbing or spreading propaganda. :shrug:

[unhappycamper]

2. I'm going with the propaganda. n/t

[jaxx]

3. That is my best guess too.