In Afghanistan, the mess keeps on keepin’ on…
Another 33 civilians killed by an airstrike.
The Dutch government falling, with the result that Dutch troops will be out by August.
The Australians saying it’s not up to them to take the place of the Dutch.
The Europeans still haven’t come up with the 10,000 troops promised for the “surge”.
Former Iraqi surger General Petraeus says the latest offensive will take 12-18 months.
Summary: intelligence on the ground is lousy (dead civilians), no domestic political support for allies (NATO), and not enough troops either to defeat the Taliban or to keep control of areas where the Taliban has been defeated (US, Afghan, or anybody else).
Gorilla says: “It’s long past time to go, we seem to be the last to know!”
Tags: Afghanistan