How We’Re Losing Afghanistan

Six years after invading the nation, al-Qaeda and the Taliban remain as free as ever. How We’re Losing AfghanistanBy Cliff Montgomery – Feb.29th, 2008Six years ago, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to eliminate al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as well as to establish a stable government there. But the Kabul administration under President Hamid Karzai now governs a mere 30 percent of that nation, admitted the leading American intelligence official on Wednesday.And it hardly needs to be added that al-Qaeda and the Taliban remain as free as they were when they conspired to attack us on Sept. 11th, 2001…National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee that a revitalized Taliban commands 10 percent to 11 percent of Afghanistan, whereas Karzai’s administration governs 30 percent to 31 percent.About 60 percent of Afghanistan’s population–the overwhelming majority–is controlled by local tribes, he added.The results of these failings are clear enough. A roadside bomb recently exploded in Paktika province, killing two Polish soldiers; the troops belonged to the NATO force in the country. At about that same time, opium valued at $400 million was nabbed in the southern region of Afghanistan.Insurgency-related violence in 2007 slew over 6,500 people–that number includes 222 foreign troops. In fact, last year was the most deadly for that nation since the American-led invasion in late 2001.Officials believe that about 40 percent of Afghanistan’s drug trade proceeds–a dollar amount running into the tens of millions–is utilized to bankroll the insurgency.Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director Lt. Gen. Michael Maples stated at the Senate committee hearing that Pakistan’s current government is attempting to gain some control of the unruly tribal region bordering Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda and the Taliban now are thought to be centered.There’s only one problem: neither the tribal Frontier Corps nor the Pakistani military is ready for a fight in the tribal areas, he added.Maples told senators it would be 3-5 years before the groups are ready to effectively fight in those regions.”Pakistani military operations in the (region) have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda’s position,” said Maples.”The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the Taliban and regional extremism more broadly,” he added.Perhaps the biggest problem lay neither in Afghanistan nor Pakistan, but in our White House. There ‘King George’ and His Majesty’s court decided to waste American forces on the fruitless nation-building of Iraq, and left the “Forgotten War” in Afghanistan to those ill-equipped to bring our real enemies to justice.We can only expect more of the same bad results until those priorities change.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!