Taliban leader plans to reclaim Afghanistan, U.S. says

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: LA Times

Afghanistan's former Taliban leader is pursuing a strategy to reclaim power, the top U.S. intelligence official said today, identifying a key administration concern as the White House prepared to unveil a new plan to step up combat operations and stabilization efforts.

The Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, was driven from power by the U.S. invasion in 2001 but has reassembled much of his base in Pakistan, where he leads a council of Islamic hard-liners accused of directing insurgent attacks across the border in Afghanistan.
However, U.S. spy agencies lack a detailed understanding of the regional dynamics across much of Afghanistan, said Dennis C. Blair, the director of national intelligence.

"We know a heck of a lot more about Iraq on a very granular basis than we do in Afghanistan," Blair said, describing an intelligence imbalance that could hamper the Obama administration's efforts as it shifts troops from one war theater to the other.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghanistan-strategy27-2009mar27,0,7036591.story

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the fundamentalist shanks coming back

[shadowknows69]

1. So, by all means we should continue a war that we don't understand

And don't know how to win. Are human beings being born with brains in their heads anymore? Your species frightens and confuses me.

[Matilda]

2. And expanding into Pakistan too.

I find myself torn in two over Afghanistan - the Taliban are shockingly backward in their thinking, and the plight
of women and girls under their previous rule was appalling. And they're not able to really govern - the economic
situation in Afghanistan was terrible, and little hope of the Taliban ever finding their way out of it. If they
were strict about religious observation, but able to run the country efficiently and give equal education and work
opportunities to all, I'd be in favour of stepping back and letting them get on with it.

But it's very hard to see the kind of atrocities they commit, and the spread of such ignorance and fear. But where
is the line to be drawn about interfering with the affairs of another country? Like Zimbabwe, part of me would
love to see a foreign army march in, get rid of the dictator and restore balance in the country. But I opposed the
invasion of Iraq, and generally when this kind of action occurs, the occupying force is inclined to stay around too
long in order to get something back for their trouble.

So when, if ever, can interference in the affairs of other countries be justified? It's dreadful to watch other
peoples suffering and feel helpless, but invasion, even if well-intentioned, is such a poisoned chalice. I used
to believe that wisely-spent aid would help, but unfortunately that generally goes into the pockets of corrupt
rulers and the people are no better off.

Afghanistan is even more difficult than most, given that it's internal history has been a violent one - few, if any,
of its rulers have died a natural death, and no invading force has ever been successful against local guerillas.
And yet there's a moral pull that calls us to do something when we see injustice and suffering, even if the chance
of succeeding is pitifully small.

I don't have answers; does anybody else?

[Mr. Sparkle]

3. meh, i thought this was going to be about Rush Limbaugh telling Barack on how to win in Afghanistan.

:D

[Alamuti Lotus]

4. and doing fairly well at it, no less

[bemildred]

5. Pakistani and Afghan Taliban Unify in Face of U.S. Influx

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — After agreeing to bury their differences and unite forces, Taliban leaders based in Pakistan have closed ranks with their Afghan comrades to ready a new offensive in Afghanistan as the United States prepares to send 17,000 more troops there this year.

In interviews, several Taliban fighters based in the border region said preparations for the anticipated influx of American troops were already being made. A number of new, younger commanders have been preparing to step up a campaign of roadside bombings and suicide attacks to greet the Americans, the fighters said.

The refortified alliance was forged after the reclusive Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar, sent emissaries to persuade Pakistani Taliban leaders to join forces and turn their attention to Afghanistan, Pakistani officials and Taliban members said.

The overture by Mullah Omar is an indication that with the prospect of an American buildup, the Taliban feel the need to strengthen their own forces in Afghanistan and to redirect their Pakistani allies toward blunting the new American push.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/world/asia/27taliban.html?em