Archives for the 'Afghanistan' Category

Meet Michael Bhatia

Published on 11 May 2008 at 11:27 am. 2 Comments.
Filed under military, Afghanistan, academia.

The late Michael Bhatia’s work, photos and some interesting vid interview segments at this tribute site. Comes across about as academically wonkish as they come, all the more interesting that he would take so direct a role, that would lead to his death in combat in the company of American soldiers.  

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Fallen American

Published on 9 May 2008 at 10:34 pm. 4 Comments.
Filed under GWOT, military, Afghanistan, academia.

Doesn’t really look like the kind of guy who would be killed in the lead Humvee of a four-vehicle combat patrol, riding with the 101st Airborne’s Task Force Currahee in Khowst Province, does he? A little bookish, maybe. But it maybe there’s something there in the eyes. Hard to tell from a snapshot. Easy to read it in, […]

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Suicidal GI Meme

Published on 6 May 2008 at 1:11 am. 7 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, military, Afghanistan, PTSD.

Keeps marching on. U.S. government shrink reports that Iraq/Afghan war vets’ suicides may outstrip the death rate.  Bloomberg: 

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Digger Down

Published on 28 Apr 2008 at 11:51 am. 2 Comments.
Filed under Oz, Afghanistan.

LCpl. Jason Marks, 4th Battalion (Commando), 27, dad of two, killed in Afghanistan.  Several other diggers wounded but as usual, the Taliban apparently got the worst of it. Widow Cassandra Marks: ”All he ever wanted to do was join the army. He was the type of man who knew what he wanted, even from the age of 12. […]

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A Dutch Patriot’s Day

Published on 19 Apr 2008 at 12:35 pm. 1 Comment.
Filed under military, Europe, Afghanistan.

Lt. Dennis van Uhm, son of the Netherlands’ defense chief, killed in Afghanistan. Thank you, Holland, for unselfishly giving him and his comrades to the world.
Van der Galien at the link addresses the issue of whether it was a targeted hit or not. In response to a couple of issues he raises, no, I don’t believe […]

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Band of Mothers

Published on 15 Apr 2008 at 2:49 pm. 5 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, pols, Afghanistan, motherhood.

Gateway: Murtha refuses to meet with them. The word “coward” gets throw back and forth. Someone calls the cops.

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Lt. Windsor

Published on 2 Mar 2008 at 10:22 pm. 4 Comments.
Filed under Britain, Afghanistan.

Wants to go back. VOA: 

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Last Harrah

Published on 1 Mar 2008 at 9:50 am. 4 Comments.
Filed under media, military, Britain, Afghanistan.

The best part about a combat deployment in Afghanistan? No paparazzi. A chance to be normal. via Boston Herald: 

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Royal Shame

Published on 29 Feb 2008 at 10:34 am. 3 Comments.
Filed under military, Britain, Afghanistan, moronocy.

 
As the Poms yank Harry. Donkeys. I’ll let the colonials do the honors. Sydney Morning Herald, Back to Blighty for Prince Harry: 

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Tally Ho!

Published on 28 Feb 2008 at 11:59 am. 4 Comments.
Filed under military, Britain, Afghanistan.

 
Lighthorse Harry “exemplary” vs. the Taliban. Frontline combat tour in Helmand. That’s the great news. The crappy news is that, now that its news, the brass are mulling bringing him back. Times:  

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Can You Hear Me Now?

Published on 25 Feb 2008 at 8:31 pm. 4 Comments.
Filed under Islam, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

First, Pakistan basically crashed YouTube for most of the world’s YouTube fans Sunday, in a bid to squelch anti-Islamic vid. Something like that. It’s really complicated, and my understanding of Internet technology is about at same level as the Taliban’s understanding of cell phone technology. Apparently, the hated Crusaders are using the very cell phone signals that fly through the […]

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10 Heroes

Published on 24 Feb 2008 at 11:48 pm. 3 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, military, Afghanistan.

Compliments of Chuck Simmins, who figures they deserve upgrades:

Sgt. 1st Class Gary Villalobos - ambushed. Senior officer wounded. IA ran. He stood his ground and fought.
Capt. Christopher P. Niedziocha - Marine. 23 Taliban killed, 3 Marines wounded.
Master Sgt. Suran Sar - Special Forces. Known in the community as an outstanding warrior.
Sgt. Joseph Proctor - prevented […]

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Defeat

Published on 24 Feb 2008 at 8:50 pm. 2 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, pols, Afghanistan.

Still possible if the next administration and the American people refuse to face reality. Bushwacker Anthony Cordesman on Iraq, Afghanistan: 

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More Germans

Published on 24 Feb 2008 at 8:49 pm. No Comments.
Filed under Europe, Afghanistan.

Please. Under this proposal, there’ll be up to 120 Eurocops training the Afghans, up from 60: 

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Embedded Romp

Published on 20 Feb 2008 at 8:48 pm. 1 Comment.
Filed under Iraq, media, military, lebanon, Afghanistan.

Sounds like Danger Room blogger and serial embed David Axe has a book in him. Here’s a five-minute spin through multiple embeds with seven armies in three countries. CJR.

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GWOT Complexities

Published on 17 Feb 2008 at 9:23 am. No Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan.

Suicide bomb kills 80 Afghans just trying to enjoy a little dogfighting fun.  

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Tragedy Lessened

Published on 12 Feb 2008 at 7:30 am. 1 Comment.
Filed under GWOT, Afghanistan.

Community religious leader, two 15-year-old sons tragically killed by jihadi mine in Afghanistan. Theirs. Ace.  Lesser, higher tragedy roundup:

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Great, Briton

Published on 3 Feb 2008 at 10:24 am. 5 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, Iran, al qaeda, Europe, Britain, Afghanistan, Canada, Pakistan.

“We shall abandon them in the mountains! We shall abandon them in the cities!  We shall run like frightened children! Out of my way, I’m trying to surrender!” 

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Legless in Afghanistan

Published on 27 Jan 2008 at 11:18 am. No Comments.
Filed under military, Afghanistan, different.

Diferent kind of war story for a different kind of war. Blackfive: Hot pursuit of a pedally challenged Taliban.

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Taliban Is As Taliban Does

Published on 23 Jan 2008 at 9:06 am. 3 Comments.
Filed under media, Islam, Afghanistan.

I thought the point of that invasion was to bring an end to this kind of thing.* Afghan journo sentenced to death for humiliating Islam.
Jihadwatch’s prior. Apparently the offending article notes that Mohammed ignored the rights of women. Stop the presses. Dawn over Mecca.
* OK, so the point of it was to destroy al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda […]

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Allies Miffed

Published on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:15 am. 8 Comments.
Filed under Europe, Afghanistan.

When maybe they need to look more closely at what Gates said and consider while they’re at it whether it’s time to pull the plug in Afghanistan, just because war is hard. Washinghton Post:

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All Roads Lead to Pakistan

Published on 15 Jan 2008 at 8:02 am. 5 Comments.
Filed under GWOT, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

As the Taliban continues its tradition of murdering innocent, unarmed civilians in brazen hotel attack. Round-up of allegedly Pak-based attack, Pak-bound arrests:

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War Still On Here, Too

Published on 4 Jan 2008 at 1:39 pm. 2 Comments.
Filed under GWOT, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Quick catch up in the ‘Stan:  

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Non-Sequitorial Afghanistan

Published on 26 Dec 2007 at 10:14 am. 2 Comments.
Filed under military, Afghanistan.

Junger reports on paratroopers plugging a gap in Afghanistan. Vanity Fair: 

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Unpopular Quagmire To Drag On

Published on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:27 am. 4 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, pols, Afghanistan.

Surrenderistas capitulate, send war funds to Bush. AFP:  

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Digging Out

Published on 14 Dec 2007 at 9:57 am. 9 Comments.
Filed under pols, GWOT, Boston, Afghanistan.

Foot of snow, which managed to entirely immobilize the eastern half of snow-savvy Massachusetts for about 8 hours yesterday. While I’m digging, you can read about Afghanistan and other matters:   

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Abandon Hope

Published on 23 Nov 2007 at 8:47 am. 10 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan.

Or hope with abandon?* Euro think tank reports Taliban control half of Afghanistan, winning hearts and minds, not if but when Kabul will fall.  UK Telegraph:

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One Bullet Away

Published on 9 Nov 2007 at 9:05 am. 10 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, media, military, Afghanistan.

Attended the annual Lt. William S. Bush Breakfast at the USS Constitution yesterday morning with Ia Drang vet Larry Gwin, a lot of old Marines, and speaker Nate Fick. 
Lt. Bush has the unfortunate distinction of being the first United States Marine Corps officer killed in combat on Aug. 19, 1812, as he prepared to board HMS Guerriere. […]

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Infidel Alert!

Published on 25 Oct 2007 at 10:55 am. 6 Comments.
Filed under al qaeda, Afghanistan.

MEMRI: Jihad Commander in Afghanistan Sheikh Al-Ustadh Yasser in New Al-Sahab Video: “The American is an Infidel Fighting the Muslims – Hence, the Muslims Must Fight Him Everywhere.”    

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Heroism Past, Present

Published on 22 Oct 2007 at 9:18 am. 8 Comments.
Filed under military, courage, Afghanistan.

MOH recipient Tom Kelley with a duty to perform today for Lt. Michael Murphy, and thoughts on recognizing heroism. Gelzinis at Boston Herald:  

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Medal of Honor

Published on 13 Oct 2007 at 10:30 pm. 5 Comments.
Filed under military, courage, Afghanistan.

NYP whacks NYT for failure to mention MOH. I deserve a whack myself: 

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9 Kids Killed

Published on 11 Oct 2007 at 11:03 pm. 5 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, al qaeda, military, Afghanistan.

By al-Qaeda.  You have to be patient, but eventually in this AP article, you will learn that: 

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Diggers vs. Taliban

Published on 29 Sep 2007 at 9:17 am. 6 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan.

Diggers win, neutralizing positions that were causing them trouble:  

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Line of Duty

Published on 25 Sep 2007 at 1:13 am. 2 Comments.
Filed under Oz, Afghanistan.

Aussie bomb-sniffing dog killed, three diggers injured by IED in Afghanistan.
“Razz helped identify where the bomb was placed and sadly paid the ultimate price for his actions.”
Razz was the second Australian explosive-detection dog killed in Afghanistan this month.
 h/t Tim Blair

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Down For The Count

Published on 22 Sep 2007 at 10:00 am. 3 Comments.
Filed under media, al qaeda, Afghanistan, Sesame Street.

Simmins at Terrorist Death Watch on the difficulties of keeping an accurate count in the ‘Stan.  This is a happy story.  Someone tell Zawahri. This is a job for that infidel, that instrument of Shaitan, Count von Count.
Meanwhile, accuracy-related issue of a Rather different sort. 

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2 VCs

Published on 2 Sep 2007 at 9:45 pm. No Comments.
Filed under Iraq, Britain, Afghanistan.

In the offing in Afghanistan.  One earned the customary way … posthumously: 
Last month Capt Hicks, 26, refused morphine when mortally wounded in order to lead a counter-attack against a Taliban rocket assault.
In May L/Cpl Ruecker fought off Taliban riflemen to rescue a badly wounded comrade from a burning armoured car. One VC has already been […]

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Continuing the Afghan theme I tossed at you yesterday…

Published on 28 Aug 2007 at 10:26 am. 4 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan.

Yesterday, we at Castle Argghhh! offered you Pakistan.
 Today, meet our other “Man in the ‘Stan” - this time Afghanistan. 
 Meet Joe - our land-locked sailor, as he chats with us about life as an Afstan fobbit.
 Note - Link fixed.  I *hate* it when I do that.

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Tora Bora Redux

Published on 17 Aug 2007 at 12:02 pm. No Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Major offensive underway on old ground, old problems, unresolved. Fourth Rail and others with details:  

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Foolish Myths and a Quick Review of Why Iraq Makes Sense

Published on 13 Aug 2007 at 11:31 pm. 6 Comments.
Filed under Iraq, al qaeda, Afghanistan.

Brilliant as usual, Hitchens debunks myths re al-Qaeda in Iraq, which of course is one of the central bickering points about the war. * 

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Happy Ending

Published on 7 Aug 2007 at 11:00 pm. 3 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan, Pakistan.

More like this. Taliban stages brazen attack on U.S. base: 

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Derka Derka Mohammad Jihad

Published on 31 Jul 2007 at 12:27 pm. 3 Comments.
Filed under al qaeda, Afghanistan.

Jawa with an appreciation of Taliban graduation ceremony vid. In order to more greatly terrify the infidels, they make the speeches in English. Jawa makes an unflattering comparison to Apu.  Hey, don’t be dissing Apu!  Memo to Taliban: It works better in the original Derkaderkastani. And throw in some ululating next time. Memo to Jawa: its […]

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Wind Chime

Published on 24 Jul 2007 at 10:15 am. No Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan.

Hekmatyar announces ceasefire.  As Stratfor notes below, this rat’s departure from the sinking ship is a political and military blip, more interesting for what it says about the Taliban:  

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Miss Utah = Sgt. Afghanistan

Published on 6 Jul 2007 at 7:38 am. No Comments.
Filed under military, Afghanistan.

Girl next door served in the sand. Art here and here. 
Sgt. Jill Stevens was a national guard medic who spent 18 months in the ‘Stan.

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Maori VC

Published on 3 Jul 2007 at 9:52 am. 3 Comments.
Filed under military, Afghanistan, NZ.

Kiwi commando sprinted more than 70 meters under Taliban machine guns carrying a badly wounded mate, saving his life. 

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Talibnet

Published on 12 Jun 2007 at 2:05 am. 1 Comment.
Filed under blogs, Afghanistan.

Jawa helpfully points out what he says is a Georgia company providing webhosting for the Taliban and provides contact information.  Special bonus, purported Taliban email and satphone numbers.

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Good Morning, Tehran

Published on 7 Jun 2007 at 6:26 am. 5 Comments.
Filed under Iran, Afghanistan.

Iran “caught red-handed” shipping weapons to the Taliban.  Part of a concerted campaign.  Before you get to the actual information in this report, it is necessary first to avoid tripping over rent-a-quote Richard Clarke. But here’s the interesting part: 

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Dadullah Fallout

Published on 15 May 2007 at 7:59 am. 1 Comment.
Filed under Afghanistan.

Stratfor sees a major blow to the Taliban in Dadullah’s death, the terrorist organization’s loss of brutally aggressive leadership, resulting suspicions and infighting. Media reports have his brother named to replace him and mixed takes on the degree of disruption:   

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Dadullah

Published on 13 May 2007 at 12:37 pm. 15 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan.

… won’t be down for breakfastullah.  One-legged Taliban popstar gets popped.  Sucky Mother’s Day for Mommullah.
And so the legend begins.   
“No one could inspire a 12-year-old to behead infidels and collaborators like him!”
“Yes, he had a way with beardless boys!”   

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Canadian War Crimes

Published on 5 May 2007 at 9:19 am. 4 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan, Canada.

Apparently didn’t happen. Kate at Small Dead Animals is holding her breath waiting for the media corrections.  Personally, I refuse to breathe again until human rights activists begin launching frontal assaults on al-Qaeda and the Taliban.  Nice knowing you. 

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1st Assault Accordians, Advance to Rear!

Published on 29 Apr 2007 at 12:10 pm. 17 Comments.
Filed under Afghanistan, France.

The question is, what is the relationship between this* and this.** Oh yeah, and this.***
*French hostage released.
** French foreign minister sees no long-term French troop presence in Afghanistan. 

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