AFGHANISTAN: Taliban respond extensively to Obama administration's war strategy review

Unlike the shadowy insurgents of Iraq, the Afghan Taliban have a very sophisticated and fast-moving media operation that has already issued a detailed response to the much-anticipated review of American strategy in the Afghanistan war issued on Thursday.

As expected, the Taliban gave the Obama administration's review, covered by the Los Angeles Times, and its timing a big thumbs down. 

"Obama unveils review of the strategy in a time that they left no stone unturned in Afghanistan to beef up the occupation, but all their efforts have failed," a message e-mailed to reporters in Kabul said.

"Now he has come with the review of the strategy to present it before the American public and the public of the world in an effort to distract the attention from his failed strategy; to buoy up a new hope and keep people occupied in illusory expectations."

The strategy review, the the message said, "proves that his last year’s strategy, with all other overseas schemes, have faced frustration and failure because the substance of these schemes and strategy do not coincide with the ground realities in Afghanistan."

The Taliban said the U.S. strategy amounted to shuffling the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.

"The past nine years have showed that the foreign troops surge and emphasis on the military approach is a failed replica for achievement of victory by the foreign occupation in Afghanistan, which has never been in a position to play a role in transformation of the status quo in the country," the Taliban said. "This is the hard fact which Obama has also conceded, though indirectly, by resorting to reviewing the strategy."

It noted that "thousands" had demonstrated against the war in front of the White House, and that U.S. intelligence agencies in separate reports "had expressed concern about American military setbacks in Afghanistan."

It called the Obama administration's claims of progress in "some undisclosed areas of Afghanistan" vague. " All know that the ground realities are contrary to what he claims," the statement said.

Not only have military efforts been a failure, so too have efforts to shore up Afghanistan's institutions and the government of President Hamid Karzai, the Taliban insisted.

"The Obama strategy for Afghanistan not only has failed in the military field but has had no achievement at the civilian and administration level," it said.

"In view of common Afghans, the strategy has only resulted in helping the puppet Karzai government remain in power, spread corruption, insecurity, grievances, incompetence of officials, killings of thousands of civilians during American operations." the statement said. "These are the consequences of the strategy."

The planned draw-down of U.S. troops, to begin in the middle of next year, "is the bitter consequences which the American people are grappling with after losing thousands of American soldiers and spending hundreds of billions of dollars."

The Taliban, which ruled much of the country with a bloody fist until they were ousted by U.S.-led forces in 2001, vowed that "peace and stability will not return to Afghanistan unless and until all foreign forces pull out of the country."

"The unremitting continuation of foreign interference will pave the way for more casualties and destruction," the statement read. "The foreigners should start the withdrawal of the occupying forces now — a task which they would have to do ultimately at a later stage. Thus they will save themselves from the heavy losses in life and equipment which they are facing as a result of the war of Afghanistan."

That way, "the oppressed and miserable people of Afghanistan will also find salvation from the illegitimate invasion and atrocities of America. This is the mechanism of the solution."

-- Los Angeles Times

Photo: Taliban insurgents in Pakistan in 2005. Credit: Reuters

Comments

[David Bartholomew]

It was never in our national self interest to send troops into Iraq and Afghanistan. That much was apparent to those of us familiar with the modern history of the Middle East even before our involment in those countries. The book as it were is by no means closed on Iraq. Afghanistan
is a nightmare. Neither nation- in my view- was worth the trip. The lessons of Vietnam taught us exactly nothing. When does it become no longer cost effective to remain involved in an operation(s)that cannot reach our objectives? Of course our military is never going to say that we cannot achieve victory over the Taliban. That is why we stayed longer in Vietnam than we should have. "Those who ignore thpast are condemned to relive it." In spades.

[Neil Kitson]

Compare the three versions of reality: The President's review, the Taliban's response, and the International Committee of the Red Cross press release. http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/news-release/2010/afghanistan-news-2010-12-15.htm

[Nuke Them]

Pakistan, Osama and the taliban should remember that a sore loser with 5000 nukes can give them hell on earth. You dont really want to be America No.1 enemy.

[SS]

Taliban misread american politics thinking a few thousand represents the country. The angry silent majority wants payment by blood for 9-11, they still havent got it and will keep on going until taliban is defeated. Osama mistake vietnam resolve with 9-11. 9-11 is like pearl harbour. Japanese bit off more than they can chew, and so will Osama. Vietnam was a war most americans did not want, but it is different when somebody wage war on you. Then it is a fight to the death.

[dave]

Talibans are stupid and dense. Their reluctance to hand over osama cause their demise. Beware of american wrath their arms are long in reach and time.

[john]

9-11 is the reason. No american polictician can say no to the public braying for blood just like pearl harbor. Doesnt matter if it is winnable or not, just plain old revenge is enough. Just like countless war before.

[anon]

I don't understand. How come the previous administration. Makes the decision to go to war in Afghanistan with no clear path to win.
Clinton was doing it the right way. With the drones, anybody the U.S considered a terrorist we flew him to smithereens.