The United States engaged enemy forces in Afghanistan earlier than it did in Iraq. Afghanistan was secured (militarily) with a modest, asymmetrical force compose dof special operations units, local nationals and traditional units. The result was a relatively swift victory in a fractured, mostly rural / undeveloped and tribal nation. Afghanistan has no seaport, no major infrastructure, no major exports (save opium) and no real central government. It is a nation of divergent, tribal groups barely linked by the common religion of Islam.
Prior to 2001, it was the training haven for Al Qeada. It afforded numerous secure locations to prepare for global jihad against the forces of the West and internal enemies of a future Caliphate. Our success in Afghanistan hinges solely on our overwhelming ability to delivery lethal force to any part of the nation within minutes. This ability, however, will not convert an eleventh century culture into a modern society.
We are now facing peace talks with the Taliban, as we inevtibaly must and a likely premature exit in 2013. This will result in Afghanistan devolving back into sectarian violence and partitioning. It will also mean our presence wil be limited to a base in Khandahar or one of the -Stans from where SOCOM units will act to kill any coalescing threat which may spread outside the borders of the nation.
Michael Yon has written extensively about our challenges and now we have an Army O5 reporting his frustration with the truth on the ground. The truth on the ground in Afghanistan is the summary of his article.
Let's just hope we can maintain that ability to decisively deliver necessary force to preserve our own security. I fear that the security for the Afghans will remain elusive.
Showing posts with label GWOT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GWOT. Show all posts
07 February 2012
25 September 2009
Foiled again...
The threat to the United States continues to exist, relatively unabated. The recent spate of news regarding foiled plots is likely partly intentional. I would hope that the current administration is reminding our enemies that we will not relax our efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorist attack. Despite the grim news from Afghanistan, it is likely a good sign as it will force the administration and its allies to get serious about dealing with the nearly ungovernable region of the world.
FBI, Navy Foiled Alleged Terror Plot on Quantico
By Gerry J. Gilmore
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2009 - An indictment handed down yesterday in a North Carolina federal court charges three men with plotting to attack Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., with the intent to murder U.S. military personnel.
American Forces Press Service
The men -- two American citizens and a legal U.S. resident from Kosovo – are Daniel Patrick Boyd, 39; his son, Zakariya Boyd, 20; and Kosovo native Hysen Sherifi, 24, according to Justice Department and Marine Corps news releases.
The three allegedly were involved in a plot to procure maps of the base and assemble weapons as a precursor to an attack, the releases say. They also are named with four other men -- including another Boyd son, Dylan, 22 -- in a sealed indictment July 22 for alleged involvement in a conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, as well as conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad, the releases say.
Agents from the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Quantico's headquarters' staff collaborated on an investigation that uncovered the alleged plot at the base.
"We have been in close coordination with NCIS and FBI agents and other officials throughout the Boyd investigation," Quantico's base commander Marine Col. Dan Choike said in a Marine Corps news release.
"We have ensured that the safety and protection of our Marines, their families and civilians who call Quantico home, received our first and absolute attention," Choike said. "That attention in all matters continues to be our main focus."
Others indicted in the alleged broader terrorism activities include:
-- Anes Subasic, 33, a naturalized U.S. citizen;
-- Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, 22, a U.S. citizen; and
-- Ziyad Yaghi, 21, a U.S. citizen.
All seven men are residents of North Carolina.
The defendants were arrested July 27 at various locations. All are being held without bond.
"These charges hammer home the point that terrorists and their supporters are not confined to the remote regions of some far-away land, but can grow and fester right here at home," U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding said in the Justice Department news release.
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