Posts Tagged ‘afghanistan’
President Obama Statement on Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan by US Soldier
Statement by the President on Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan I am deeply saddened by the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians. I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and to the people of Afghanistan, who have endured too much violence and suffering. This incident is tragic and shocking, and does not represent the exceptional character of our military and the respect that the United States has for the people of Afghanistan. I fully support Secretary Panetta’s and General Allen’s commitment to get the facts as quickly as possible and to hold accountable anyone responsible.
US soldier kills 15 Afghan civilians in Kandahar, 9 are Children
One can only imagine the fall out from this incident. A US soldier in Afghanistan has shot dead 15 civilians and wounded others after entering their homes in Kandahar province, Afghan and Nato sources say. He reportedly left his base early in the morning to attack village homes. Nine children are among the dead. The White House voiced "deep concern" and Nato-led forces in Afghanistan promised a rapid inquiry. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned the attack and demanded an explanation from Washington. BBC correspondents say there could be a furious backlash when news of the attack reaches the wider public. In Kandahar's Panjwai district, local people have gathered near the base to protest about Sunday's killings, and the US embassy is advising against travel to [...]
DoD U.S. Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 10 February 2012
Friday's DoD Casualty report of Operation Enduring Freedom would indicate that there were no deaths of American soldiers in Afghanistan this week. There has been a readjustment from last week's report reducing the number of KIAs by 3 and moving them into the non-hostile category. There were however 12 soldiers wounded in action. During the past few weeks, especially since the beginning of 2012 the casualty figures have been lower than they have been during 2011. What is not shown in the casualty figures is the high toll of mental illness that veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq are dealing with. There have been numerous suicides and often loved ones are struggling to get Veterans Affairs to listen to them. There is no higher obligation for a nation but to look after those it [...]
DoD U.S. Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 3 February 2012
As the United States and NATO are actively pursuing an end to the war in Afghanistan and an end of combat operations in 2013, soldiers are still being killed in the war torn country. Hamid Karzai is pursuing direct talks with Taliban leaders. What is not clear, is whether the Taliban top leadership is involved in the peace talk pursuit. The U.S. Administration is deliberating on moving up to five Gitmo detainees to a prison in Qatar as a gesture of good will. The danger with all these announcements by the United States and NATO is that the Taliban has been handed a timetable and just has to wait for the departure of NATO in 2014. There is also serious concern that Afghan Security Forces are capable to conduct operations against insurgents. Knowing the history of [...]
Panetta: U.S., NATO will seek to end Afghan combat mission next year
BRUSSELS – The United States and NATO will seek to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year and shift to a role of providing support and training to Afghan security forces, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Wednesday.U.S. military commanders had said in recent weeks they would begin sildenafil on line a transition this year toward taking more of an advisory role as Afghanistan’s national army and police take buy cialis greater responsibility for fighting the insurgency. But Panetta’s remarks were the first time the Obama administration has said it could foresee an end to regular U.S. and NATO combat operations by the second half of next year. “Hopefully by mid to the latter part of 2013 we’ll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a training, advise [...]
Afghanistan: Will NATO face the Same Fate as the Soviet Union?
Ten years, billions of dollars and precious blood have been investetd in Afghanistan. Now, in it's 11th year, the United States and NATO are second guessing themselves of what has actually accomplished. France's President Sarkozy has given notice that France will withdraw a year earlier than planned and Hamid Karzai is set to hold peace talks with the Taliban. Women in Afghanistan are concerned that their liberties will be bargained away. President Obama, during his State of the Union Address last week touted his promise of ending the war in Iraq had been kept, despite the fact buy viagra online that the country is in upheaval. Obama also made a lot of hay on the killing of Osama Bin Laden and the fact that the Al Qaeda leadership had been largely cialis vendita online [...]
I was a Soldier Once
The author of the following account is unknown, but it reflects how many of us old soldiers, who will never die, but fade away, feel. It certainly reflects my feelings after 35 years in operational units and some time in Headquarters units. I am positive that many of my contemporaries, which are now retired, feel the same way. Yes we were soldiers once and in our hearts we still are. I was a soldier once I liked the idea that as the commercial said; we did more by 0700 than most people did all day. I loved as range safety officer getting shots down range by 0800. I loved the brutality of route marches because they set us apart from my civilian friends, as most of them could never have hacked the pace. I loved running the assault course. I liked the early morning runs [...]
DoD U.S. Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 27January 2012
Another ten young American soldiers lost their life in Afghanistan this week. Three were killed in action (KIA), while seven others were killed from other causes. Twenty young Americans were wounded in action. Despite claims that the Taliban and Al Qaeda have been greatly disabled, the facts demonstrate the opposite. Reports indicate that more than 200 people have died in Iraq since the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The final chapter of Iraq has not yet been written. Iran, which had tough sanctions imposed on it by both European nations and the U.S. and Canada, has indicated that a vote will take place next week to determine if oil exports to Europe should stop now. This is likely to have another effect on world oil prices. China continues to import oil from Iran, [...]
DoD U.S. Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 13 January 2012
As the Obama Administration professes that the efforts in Afghanistan have been successful, another nine U.S. soldiers paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan, bringing the total for the first two weeks this year to ten killed in action (KIA). The Administration is pursuing peace talks with the Taliban. The Taliban have agreed to engage in those peace talks. How sincere they are remains to be seen. Meanwhile the heated exchange between Iran and the U.S. continues. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, which provides an avenue for more than one third of the world's oil supply. Although tougher sanctions have been approved against Iran, the implementation is still six months away, while some European nations are in the process of securing supply of oil from [...]
DoD U.S. Military Casualties in Afghanistan as of 6 January 2012
The first three U.S. soldiers have paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan this year. As U.S. troops wrapped up the war in Iraq, Afghanistan still remains a dangerous place. The Administration is actively pursuing peace talks with the Taliban and Afghanistan's Karzai government supports the talks. According to reports, the Taliban have agreed to talks and the establishment of an office in Qatar for the purpose of pursuing those talks. With the end of the war in Iraq and the draw down in Afghanistan with a full withdrawal planned for 2014, the Obama Administration has released a new Defense Strategy. The strategy would see a cut in the defense budget by approximately $450 Billion and the reduction of ground forces from 570,000 to 490,000, of which 20,000 would be Marines. [...]
