Military Mysteriously Cuts Short Top War Correspondent’s Time in Afghanistan
The military has cut short a war correspondent’s embed, and there may be evidence that the decision may have been part of a smear campaign against the writer.
Michael Yon, a former Green Beret, has been covering Iraq and Afghanistan for six years. He has also covered conflicts in Thailand, the Philippines, and Nepal. Following a string of events covered by Yon that cast a negative light on two top NATO commanders, the military decided to terminate Yon’s embed prematurely, citing reasons that didn’t add up.
ISAF’s reason for disembedding Yon was “embed overcrowding.” Yet in an email to Admiral Gregory J. Smith, an ISAF public affairs officer, Yon wrote, “I rarely see journalists. Those journalists I see have been doing drive-by reporting.”
Yon states that he has forwarded to his attorney “compelling evidence” of a smear campaign perpetrated by members of Gen. McChrystal’s staff. He says that the general’s staff have released official statements that are “defamatory and libelous.”
“A writer must be able to spot libel just as a soldier must be able to spot IEDs,” writes Yon. “It’s part of the job. If you can’t spot it, you will get hurt.”
In: Articles, Media, Military · Tagged with: Afghanistan
Leaflet drop in Afghanistan
A UH-60 Blackhawk flies over some scenic landscape while traveling to the location of a leaflet drop in Joghatoe District, Logar Province, Afghanistan, April 23, 2010. The leaflets are informing the people of Joghatoe District of an upcoming radio broadcast. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Russell Gilchrest\Released)
In: Images, Military · Tagged with: Afghanistan
NATO’s proposed ‘Courageous Restraint’ medal – another victory for our enemies
The military’s rules of engagement (ROE) in Afghanistan have become so emasculated that commanders are now considering the creation of a medal awarded for not using lethal force during war.
NATO Commander General Stanley McChrystal is currently reviewing the “Courageous Restraint” medal, which was suggested by British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter following an incident where U.S. soldiers fired on a bus carrying Afghan civilians.
“The idea is being reviewed at Headquarters [International Security Force Afghanistan],” said Lt. Col. Edward Sholtis, the spokesman for Gen. McChrystal. “The idea is consistent with our approach. Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day, including situations where they refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, in order to prevent possible harm to civilians. … That restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those seen in combat actions.”
However, restraint hasn’t translated into progress on the battlefield. A recent report from the Pentagon revealed that violence in Afghanistan is increasing – up 87% from last year – and that more districts support the Taliban than did six months ago (none of the 92 districts surveyed actively support the Karzai government while 42 are sympathetic to the Taliban).
While our forces build infrastructure, provide medical care, and show restraint on the battlefield, the Taliban acts like barbarians – intimidating, raping, and murdering. Yet when our troops act in self-defense, Afghans gather in protest, chanting “Death to America.”
In April, a bus approached a convoy of engineers in Kandahar City at a high rate of speed, ignoring multiple attempts to get the driver to slow down. Due to poor visibility conditions, and the high threat of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in the district, the soldiers opened fire, killing four passengers and wounding 18.
In: Articles, Military · Tagged with: Afghanistan, NATO, Rules of Engagement, Stanley McChrystal
Statistics don’t look good for COIN
Things are going from bad to worse in Afghanistan. How is it possible to conduct a successful counterinsurgency campaign in a country that 1.) doesn’t support it’s own government; 2.) despises foreigners – especially non-Muslims; and 3.) in many cases, prefers the Taliban?
From a post by Juan Cole highlighting the recent Pentagon study on the war in Afghanistan:
NATO is operating in about 100 districts of the country (the vague equivalent of counties).
Number of Afghans in 92 districts (assessed for their relationship to the Federal government) that actively support the government of Hamid Karzai: 0
Number of districts out of 92 that are neutral toward the government: 44
Number of districts sympathetic to the insurgency in March 2010: 48
Number of districts that had been sympathetic to the insurgency in June, 2009: 33
Increase in violent incidents from Feb. 2009 to March 2010: 87 percent.
I support our military – which means I want our troops to have the best equipment, training, leaders, and strategy possible. When we have been fighting in Afghanistan for nearly nine years, and as we see above, our “won-loss record” (regarding the districts referenced above) is 0-48-44, it is past time to consider changing game plans. And by changing plans, I do NOT mean leaving Afghanistan. We have no choice but to fight.
This would never fly in sports, and it sure as hell shouldn’t be the case when lives are being lost.
In: Geopolitics · Tagged with: Afghanistan, counterinsurgency
Congressman calls for hearing on military’s restrictive rules of engagement
[Originally published at The US Report]
A congressman said that Congress should review the military’s rules of engagement in Afghanistan, saying, “They have proved too often to be fatal” to US troops.
Rep. Walter Jones (R – N.C.), whose district includes Camp Lejeune, called for the House Armed Services Committee to hold a hearing on the rules, which families of fallen Marines have called “shameful” and “suicidal.”
When Gen. Stanley McChrystal, US Army, became the Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan in July, he released directives calling for “leaders at all levels to scrutinize and limit the use of force like close-air support against residential compounds and other locations likely to produce civilian casualties.” In addition to limiting air support, the new ROE also limit artillery support and require troops to break contact when civilians are present.
Gen. McChrystal’s efforts to reduce or eliminate noncombatant casualties are undoubtedly well-intentioned, but limiting our forces offers the enemy numerous tactical advantages that they otherwise lacked.
During one battle in September, four Marines, their Navy Corpsman, eight Afghan soldiers, and the unit’s interpreter died when commanders rejected repeated calls for artillery or air support, despite assurances that enemy forces were nowhere near the village. When the team decided to pull back, they requested smoke rounds to mask their withdrawal, but that support wasn’t approved for nearly an hour. Helicopters did appear – two hours after the battle began.
Numerous families have expressed outrage over the military’s rules, including parents of fallen service members. John Bernard, a retired Marine first sergeant and father of fallen Marine Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard calls the rules “murderous.”
In: Military · Tagged with: Afghanistan, Rules of Engagement, Taliban
Military Roundup 9 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Drew Brees trains with Marines in Africa
Afghanistan: Taliban release video showing U.S. Prisoner of War Bowe Bergdahl
Multi-million dollar poppy eradication program fails, U.S. troops now focused on Taliban
Air Force special operations CV-22 Osprey crashes in Zabul Province killing four, Taliban claim responsibility
Kyrgyz violence casts uncertainty on U.S. presence at Manas – at least 75 dead, president has fled
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula moves from Yemen to Somalia after Yemeni security forces tighten noose
Obama Bans Islam, Jihad From National Security Strategy Document
Who is America Fighting – Jihadists or Extremists?
Stolen Valor: Coast Guard retiree sentenced to prison, forced to repay fraudulent benefits received for claiming to be a Navy SEAL, wearing decorations he didn’t receive
National Guard: Obama admin ignores Arizona governor’s repeated requests to secure the border
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: Afghanistan, jihad
Military Roundup
Photo of the Day: Spring Training for Leap Frogs
Afghan President Hamid Karzai repeatedly threatens to join the Taliban
North Korea has threatened to stop returning remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War. JPAC informs me that currently 8,034 Americans are listed as missing from the conflict.
This week in U.S. military history
SEAL 3 Update: Falsification charges have been dropped against two SEALs accused of mistreating an al Qaeda detainee in Iraq.
DADT Update: The Marine Corps Commandant says if Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is repealed, he will not let gay Marines bunk with heterosexual ones.
ROE Update: Gen. McChrystal strikes again – this time limiting night raids, reviewing Rules of Engagement. Developing: It appears that members of Congress think things have gone too far. Congressman Walter Jones (R – N.C.) has called for the House Armed Services Committee to conduct its own hearings on ROE. More on this in further updates.
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: Afghanistan, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Rules of Engagement, SEAL 3
COIN: Know when to say when
To conduct an effective counterinsurgency (COIN) campaign, it is my understanding that one must also have a legitimate government that has the support of the people.
But Afghan president Hamid Karzai recently told members of parliament that he would join the Taliban if outside governments continued to pressure him.
Regardless of whether or not Karzai was serious, his remark effectively legitimized the Taliban. Has Karzai forgotten that tens of thousands of foreign troops are currently fighting the very terrorists he threatened to join? And the billions of dollars being spent to improve his country while the Taliban is busy destroying said improvements?
At this point, I don’t see how a COIN campaign can possibly achieve victory in Afghanistan. But then again, perhaps it never was since our leaders refuse to even use the word victory.
Maybe it is time to ask ourselves what George S. Patton would do. Old Blood and Guts was unceremoniously dumped by a military that was far less PC than what we have today (I doubt Patton would be promoted past Corporal in today’s Army). But he knew how to fight. And isn’t that the point of our armed forces anyways?
Given the chance, Patton would have today’s military run through Afghanistan like s–t through a goose (and don’t tell me our troops couldn’t do it if they had the support). The Taliban would learn the hard way that hiding behind women and children and fighting from mosques isn’t such a good idea. Real quick-like, the Taliban’s supporters – tacit or otherwise – would either change their minds or die in battle. Knowing that certain death awaits those who care to join the jihad would have a chilling effect on recruitment as well.
Then the Afghan people might realize that it’s the Taliban – not the U.S. – that’s making life bad for them. Rather than complain of – or fabricate – collateral damage from coalition air strikes, Afghans would turn on their Taliban for the IEDs that just so happen to kill or maim far more Afghans than they do foreign troops, or for any of the group’s innumerable atrocities committed against their own people.
There is no perfect solution, as fighting the Taliban without nation building would result in an environment where the Taliban can keep popping back up – although they would be significantly weakened each time. In that case, effective use of intelligence and special operations would strike them as soon as they threatened the U.S. again. In war, the most dedicated wins. And when we fight to the best of our ability, no terrorist group can outlast us.
If there was a compromise that could have been reached without resorting to war, we would have done so. But the Taliban will not compromise. Therefore, war is unavoidable – it’s basic human nature. And this war was declared on us. That being said, it would behoove us to begin fighting. Cutting the Taliban a $500 million stimulus check will not change their minds. Announcing to our enemies where we will attack next, or encouraging them to further exploit the rules of war by emasculating our rules of engagement will not change their minds. Neither will building schools, roads, or painting their picket fences. We can’t change their minds. And since we can’t compromise on our security, then war is the only choice.
We have been in Afghanistan for nearly ten years. I am not even sure why our troops are there now to be quite honest. After 9/11, I was under the impression that we sent troops in order to deny al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorist groups the ability to operate training camps to conduct further terrorist attacks against the U.S. or our interests.
When Karzai legitimizes the very terrorists we are fighting, it’s high time to let the military be the military, and stop using them like public works employees and politicians.
In: Geopolitics, Military · Tagged with: Afghanistan, counterinsurgency, General George S. Patton, Jr., Taliban
MARSOC in Afghanistan
A MARSOC Marine pulls security near a poppy field in Peyo as Afghan National Army Soldiers and Marine Special Operation Command Marines patrol through the village in Farah Prov., Bala Baluk District, Afghanistan, March 29. The coalition forces started the three-day CRP lead by the ANA with a dismounted patrol through Suji, Peyo and Pasaw, an air drop of humanitarian aide supplies for Aka Sadiq and a route recon through the mountainous terrain of eastern Bala Baluk. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sergeant Nicholas Pilch)
In: Images, Military · Tagged with: Afghanistan, MARSOC, US Marine Corps
Military Roundup
ACLU project endangers CIA interrogators: The CIA says that the ACLU-backed “John Adams Project” endangers CIA interrogators. The Washington Times states the Project “has photographed covert CIA interrogators and shown the pictures to some of the five senior al Qaeda terrorists held there in an effort to identify them further.”
On 29 Mar, 20 photos of CIA interrogators were found in the cell of a detainee believed to be a financier of the 9/11 attacks.
Some CIA officials are said to be concerned over Justice Department officials who formerly represented Guantanamo inmates. Last month, Attorney General Eric Holder admitted nine DOJ appointees represented GTMO detainees or contributed to amicus briefs on their behalf, but would not provide further details. Holder also admitted, however, that he didn’t survey the entire Department, just large offices. There could be many more former terrorist litigators in our “Justice” Department. Andrew McCarthy has more.
Photo of the Day: U.S. pilots flying Russian helicopters?
Cheonan incident: South Korea’s president placed the military on alert, said the sinking could have been due to a North Korean mine. 46 crew members are still missing and it is unlikely any will be recovered.
START Treaty: Russia claims they will have upgraded 80% of their nuclear arsenal by 2015. Meanwhile, the U.S. is paying to dismantle their old weapons systems – allowing the Russians to spend on new weapons systems instead. The U.S. has not introduced a new system in 15 years. Advantage: Russia. Big time.
Afghanistan/Pakistan: U.S. forces set sights on Taliban bastion of Kandahar
Ralph Peters: Gen. McChrystal’s “look out, here we come” warnings to the Taliban may be backfiring; terrorists turning on terrorists in AfPak; Obama’s midnight ride to Afghanistan sends the wrong message.
The good news? We’re not only killing terrorists in Pakistan — they’re starting to kill each other. The bad news? Afghanistan isn’t a war. It’s a politically correct experiment — conducted with our troops — by an administration with higher priorities.
Somalia: Pentagon considers sending surveillance (unarmed) drones, special operations units to Somalia in fight against al Qaeda-linked terrorists.
U.S. Navy E-2 aircraft crashes in Arabian Sea. Three of the four crew have been rescued. Search efforts are underway for the fourth.
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: ACLU, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, CIA, Guantanamo Bay, John Adams Project, Justice, Taliban
