Top military officer says violence up in Afghanistan

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

Top military officer says violence up in Afghanistan
36 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Violence in Afghanistan is increasing, as security in Iraq in recent months has improved, the top U.S. uniformed military officer told Congress Tuesday.

Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said that Iran's Revolutionary Guard is directly jeopardizing peace in Iraq.

"Restraint in our response does not signal lack of resolve or capability to defend ourselves against threats," Mullen said in prepared testimony before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

Mullen said the U.S. is deploying more troops to Afghanistan and encouraging local forces to do the same to contend with a growing insurgency, increased attacks and a burgeoning drug trade.

"In short, a stable Iraq and Afghanistan that are long-term partners and share our commitment to peace will be critical to achieving regional stability and security," he said.

"This will require years, not months, and will require the support of the American people, our regional allies and concerted action by the Iraqi and Afghan people and their leaders," Mullen added.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcWJu9bbzrJZ7uNHjvMn0BuTGqHQD90PEOUG3

[saigon68]

1. "BRING EM ON" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

[SpiralHawk]

2. "More good news: poppy, opium and heroin production are also up. Smirk." - Commander AWOL

"See. Anything is possible with republicons like me in charge. Smirk."

- Commander AWOL

[Baby Snooks]

3. The reality of Afghanistan...

The reality of Afghanistan is that we are there because of the pipeline Enron was to build to transport Russian oil and gas to a port in India which eventually may or may not be built. Long before 9/11 this administration was plotting to build a pipeline that would instead be connected into existing pipelines in Iran and then into an existing pipeline system in Iraq that will transport oil and gas through Syria and/or Jordan to Haifa. Giving the United States control of a significant supply of oil and gas and the ability to transport it without having to ship it out of the Persian Gulf.

The Russians had other ideas. Mainly a pipeline of their own to allow transport to a port in Turkey.

The Iraqis have other ideas as well. Mainly that they will determine who has rights to the oil. Not the Boy from Brazil.

This can all be summed up with the old adage about what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive.

The Bush policy, continued through the Clinton administration, is merely "millions of lives for billions of barrels."

But Madeline Albright was wrong. It was not worth it.

As for the pipeline in Afghanistan no doubt Halliburton will build it and suffice it to say that there was more to the fall of Enron than meets the eye.