http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7137041.stm

- Musa Qala is a great victory. I followed the preperation quite closely these past few days, and the victory of British/Afghan and parachuted American troops just goes to show how the Taleban can be pushed back.

But can the country be won?

As we learned in the nineteenth century, tribal loyalties run at the route of everything. Perhaps if we can understand these, we can understand the way to undermine the Taleban.

Hopefully with the handover in Basra this year we can deploy even more troops there.

tribal loyalties run at the route of everything. Perhaps if we can understand these, we can understand the way to undermine the Taleban.


That has always been the key to making any progress in the region, including Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan, etc. The biggest mistake made by the coalition forces has been approaching this endeavor using a Western mindset and values based on Christianity; instead, maybe we are finally realizing that tribal mindsets and Muslim values really are the key to working with Muslim tribes.

Hopefully with the handover in Basra this year we can deploy even more troops there.Ladies, keep your burqas (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZnCkP0LBfeyJAVTm6fjlcmGOiUwD8TE7EI80) on.BAGHDAD (AP) — Religious vigilantes have killed at least 40 women this year in the southern Iraqi city of Basra because of how they dressed, their mutilated bodies found with notes warning against "violating Islamic teachings," the police chief said Sunday.
...
Before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, was known for its mixed population and night life. Now, in some areas, red graffiti threatens any woman who wears makeup and appears with her hair uncovered: "Your makeup and your decision to forgo the headscarf will bring you death."

What a stable country! =x

Good thing it's home to the Religion of Peace!

Praise Allah!

Hmm... we could turn this around if you want to make smart remarks...

Damn that shooting in the mall, and at that church, what a bunch of American terrorists...

You guys make me laugh.

Except, we stop those terrorists, and tend not to let them run around, unchecked...

True... those Arab countries really need to wake up.

Various articles.

This (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/16/AR2007121601823.html?hpid=topnews) one about the upswing in violence in Afghanistan and possible administration responses to situation that's "...not getting better [and] not getting worse."

This (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/washington/16afghan.html?_r=3&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin) one discusses several ongoing reviews of operations in Afghanistan, with an eye to increasing coordination between the US and occupying NATO powers.

This (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0712.warner.html) interesting piece details the National Solidarity Program's efforts to provide development funds in a way that results in Afghani built infrastructure less likely to be torched by the Taliban (as opposed to foreign built infrastructure). Local ownership and oversight of construction projects engender appreciation for Coalition forces and international donors, in direct conflict with isolationist Taliban attitudes.