2007.10.06: October 6, 2007: Headlines: COS - Afghanistan: Figures: COS - Morocco: Journalism: Newsday: James Rupert writes: Attacks by Taliban mounting
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2007.10.06: October 6, 2007: Headlines: COS - Afghanistan: Figures: COS - Morocco: Journalism: Newsday: James Rupert writes: Attacks by Taliban mounting
James Rupert writes: Attacks by Taliban mounting
Barnett Rubin, an expert on Afghanistan at New York University, says leaders in Washington "utterly failed" to understand what was needed after the Taliban rout, which started with airstrikes on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York. "The Bush administration did not see Afghanistan as a long-term commitment, and its leaders deceived themselves into thinking they had won an irreversible victory. They did not consider Afghanistan important and always intended to focus on Iraq," he said. "Now the U.S. and international community have fallen way behind, and the Taliban are winning strategically ... " Journalist James Rupert, head of Newsday's international bureau in Islamabad, Pakistan began his career abroad as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching mechanics and welding in Morocco.
James Rupert writes: Attacks by Taliban mounting
Attacks by Taliban mounting
BY JAMES RUPERT | james.rupert@newsday.com
8:57 PM EDT, October 6, 2007
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Six years after U.S. bombs began falling on the Taliban government and its al-Qaida guests, a suicide car bomber attacked an American military convoy on the road to Kabul's airport yesterday, killing a U.S. soldier and four Afghans, officials said.
Four Afghans were killed and 12 wounded in the attack, which was against U.S. troops who are responsible for training the Afghan military and police.
The United States has 25,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and other NATO nations have 25,000 -- more than three times the number of international troops four years ago when the Taliban appeared defeated. The Islamic militia has come roaring back, with 100 suicide attacks in 2007 -- the bloodiest year yet.
Some 5,100 people -- mostly militants -- have died violently this year, compared with 4,000 in all of last year, according to an Associated Press count. Some 87 U.S. troops have died so far this year; 90 were killed in 2006.
As evidenced by the sprawling American base at Bagram, the United States is planning for a long stay. Envisioned as a temporary home for invading U.S. forces, the former Soviet outpost in the shadow of the towering Hindu Kush mountains is growing by nearly a third. "We've grown in our commitment ... ," said Bagram's Col. Jonathan Ives. Another brigade is arriving and new barracks are being built, he said, "So this is going to become a long-term base for us."
Barnett Rubin, an expert on Afghanistan at New York University, says leaders in Washington "utterly failed" to understand what was needed after the Taliban rout, which started with airstrikes on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York.
"The Bush administration did not see Afghanistan as a long-term commitment, and its leaders deceived themselves into thinking they had won an irreversible victory. They did not consider Afghanistan important and always intended to focus on Iraq," he said. "Now the U.S. and international community have fallen way behind, and the Taliban are winning strategically ... "
Wide areas of the south are controlled by the Taliban, and the fighting is migrating north. Osama bin Laden, whose presence was a trigger for the U.S.-led attack, is at large, possibly in the mountains along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Still, U.S. commanders point out that more than 50 mid- and high-level Taliban commanders have been killed this year, causing at least a temporary disruption in the militants' abilities.
"Our commitment to [Afghanistan's military] is really saying we will be here until you have the security and stability that allows you to be ... on your own," Ives said, "and if that's 10 years, then it's 10 years. But I think the thing is we're looking to help them as much as we can."
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Headlines: October, 2007; RPCV James Rupert (Morocco); Peace Corps Afghanistan; Directory of Afghanistan RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Afghanistan RPCVs; Figures; Peace Corps Morocco; Directory of Morocco RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Morocco RPCVs; Journalism
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Story Source: Newsday
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Afghanistan; Figures; COS - Morocco; Journalism
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