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Stronger U.S. Role Likely in Afghanistan After Taliban Resurgence
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Gordon Lubold / Christian Science Monitor | August 12, 2008
Washington – The Pentagon will send a one-star general to Afghanistan this fall as part of a politically parlous but determined effort by the US to assume greater control in the country’s troubled southern sector.
It’s a small change to the complex command structure blamed for an ineffective counterinsurgency strategy that allowed the Taliban to stage a comeback.
But the deployment of the commander may pave the way for the US to slowly begin taking over the southern sector’s military efforts as NATO’s role there diminishes over time.
“I really think this will be a precursor of a larger American role,” says one retired senior officer familiar with the move.
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With his recent promotion to brigadier general, John “Mick” Nicholson likely will become a deputy commander of what’s known as Regional Command South, making him the “go-to” American contact to coordinate US efforts within the snarl of US and NATO commands. The retired senior officer describes General Nicholson as “a tremendous talent.” “Putting Nicholson in there is recognition that we’ve got to get more US engagement in the headquarters,” he says.
The deployment of Nicholson and a small American staff comes after reports last week that Defense Secretary Robert Gates will approve a $17 billion funding program to increase the size of the Afghan National Army by almost 100 percent to 120,000 soldiers.
Mr. Gates, who for months appeared unenthusiastic about making changes to the convoluted command structure in Afghanistan, will also approve changes in which the current NATO commander, Gen. David McKiernan – an American – will also report directly to US Central Command in Tampa. Fla. Currently General McKiernan reports through a NATO chain of command, which has stymied the American efforts to focus combat operations in the south.
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August 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Well yeah, they’re just gonna move the pawns from Iraq to Afghanistan. They’ve already said that. They have to reinforce the surrounding of Iran. That and to collect more heroin. Big money them poppies. The world heroin reserve was way down when the Taliban was in control. Go figure.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
They just want to build up Afghanistan with enough forces to make Iran have to fight on all sides. They could say that he is going over there to supervise the Base Exchange but they will only tell you what they want you to think.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
cHRISTIAN sCIENCE mONITOR FOR GODS SAKE!
August 12th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Not feeling bad for the troops. They keep signing up despite all the information that has come out these last 7 years. Not to mention they sure enjoyed raping the Constitution and stealing peoples guns in New Orleans. I still hear the losers talking all tough at the range about getting the bad guys and what big fag men they think they are. Thanks terrorists.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:49 am
What actually are they doing in Afghan anyway?
I thought they were hunting the evil Bin Laden.
I also feel no sympathy for the military. They joined ’cause they wanted to kick ass with impunity.
And once you realize what the military is all about, resist it and get out. I did that. It’s easy to see the military is only about mind control, brainwashing and all manner of bad things. There isn’t any serving your country at all. You are serving the government. And they aren’t thankful at all for that service, they use you and dump you.