World-News

Robert Naiman, Truthout: "General McChrystal says that if President Obama does not approve 40,000 more US troops for Afghanistan, and approve them right away, 'our mission' - whatever that is - will likely 'fail' - whatever that is. But even if President Obama were to approve General McChrystal's request, the 40,000 troops wouldn't arrive in time to significantly affect the 12-month window McChrystal says will be decisive."

http://www.truthout.org/10150912

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45,000 More U.S. Troops To Afghanistan

By BBC Newsnight

The Obama administration had told the British government that it will soon announce a substantial boost to its Afghanistan force and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that Britain will send a further 500 soldiers.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23727.htm



Fighting the Taliban

What, Exactly, is Being Fought in Afghanistan?

By M. Reza Pirbhai

Washington insiders do not mention that the Taliban's "harsh form of oppression on women and others," which everyone from Madeleine Albright to Hillary Clinton have argued provides cause for war, is not a concern when relations with 'Wahhabi' Saudi Arabia are pursued.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23728.htm



'I'm here to understand what you mean by Taliban'

When we say we must fight the Taliban or must defeat them, what does it mean? I'm here to understand what you mean when you say Taliban. Do you mean a militant? Do you mean an ideology? Exactly what is it that is being fought?

http://snipurl.com/sj4l2


From Information Clearing House

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Five facts about Afghanistan

Independent Institute
by Ivan Eland

10/14/09

The corridors of power in the nation’s capital are abuzz with the complexities of the situation in Afghanistan. If only we send 40,000 more troops, say the military brass, the U.S. could have some hope of turning the situation around and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists yet again. Vice President Joe Biden has apparently suggested keeping the number of forces the same but shifting the U.S. mission more toward training the Afghan security forces and conducting Special Forces raids and drone attacks against al-Qaeda. Instead, a few simple facts on the ground in Afghanistan point to a third alternative...

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=2637



Why the Taliban has tripled in size

CounterPunch
by Brian Downing

10/15/09

The Afghan insurgency, we are repeatedly told, is based on intimidation and violence. This is true in parts of the country, but dubious in others. Indeed, seeing any insurgency as resting mainly on force is wrong and it will lead to wrong responses. Insurgencies develop when a non-government group builds rapport with at least parts of the populace. This was the case in Malaya, the Philippines, Algeria, and South Vietnam. And it is the case in Afghanistan...

http://counterpunch.org/downing10152009.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp



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