The New York Times reported today that it will last about two months, part of a shift of Western forces to the province’s more populated areas. Afghan units will remain in the valley, a test of their military readiness.”
The Times claims that “at least 103 American soldiers have died in or near the valley’s maze of steep gullies and soaring peaks . . . and many times more have been wounded, often severely. Military officials say they are sensitive to those ...
Continue Reading →The Secretary of Defense has proposed cutting $78 Billion out of the DoD budget over five years. That’s $78 Billion, or less than $20 Billion a year. Are you kidding me — why even bother with such a miniscule amount? Anyone with even a brief, passing knowledge of the DoD over the last 2 decades has to be amused that the national media has viewed this proposal as a “substantial cut.” With an enormous DoD budget that exceeds THREE ...
Continue Reading →Soldiers For The Truth has become Stand For The Troops. Our new name reflects exactly what we do on behalf of all concerned Americans—stand for the troops—and more specifically, stand for our frontline troops, our young heroes who stand tall for us and our country out at the tip of the spear.
Our mission remains the same: to ensure that America’s frontline troops get the best available personal combat gear and protective equipment, including body armor and helmets. In fact, the military ...
Continue Reading →In a fascinating article by Carl Thompson, published by IDGA (Institute for Defense and Government Advancement) entitled that is thwarting our progress in Afghanistan. Found below are examples cited by Mr. Thompson of rampant corruption across all elements of Afghan society.
One hundred and sixty thousand troopers have been diagnosed with concussions since 2000. I bet that is a conservative estimate/data point, given the fact that the stigma of reporting a head-injury and the evolving science of diagnosis.
Nevertheless, there has been three-hundred and ten concussions diagnosed in the past five months at lovely Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. And for in-camp/intra-theater treatment, naval medical officers have established a “one-stop shop” where you can ...
Continue Reading →“Fraud and mismanagement at Afghanistan’s largest bank have resulted in potential losses of as much as $900 million — three times previous estimates — heightening concerns that the bank could collapse and trigger a broad financial panic in Afghanistan, according to American, European and Afghan officials.”
The missing $900 million and the zero-balance payroll for Afghan security forces, just might be the “Tunisian” type spark to engulf Karzai and Kabul.
And ...
Continue Reading →President Karzai’s isolation was preventable, and now enters a period of increased tension and uncertainty as to his ability to lead and work with “power brokers.” The list includes: losing parliamentary candidates who he has “deserted”; new Parliament members who were delayed more than 5 months from “governing”; and most importantly, further alienated “western backers” who have lost faith in his abilities.
While US/NATO continues heavy-handed military operations, efforts at good governance ...
Continue Reading →While the “Happy Talk” continues, consider the accompanying charts/reports on “the progress” and the “teeth in the jugular vein”, as you read the latest coming out of US/NATO in Kabul.
Afghan NGO Safety Office, 2010 4th Quarter Report
2010 4th Quarter Report
Apparently, if you are not on ...
Continue Reading →Afghanistan’s fragile government still stands after President Karzai’s decision this past weekend to inaugurate the newly elected Afghan government this Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Karzai stepped back from the precipice he created after “intense pressure from legislators and the international community.” During the crisis, not much happy talked leaked out of US/NATO in Kabul, and it took a UN inspired rally of Western allies to “break the silence on the crisis.”
Now ...
Continue Reading →You only need to read the headline to know that this situation is only to get worse. If you can’t settle your scores via the ballot box, then what are your options? And again, not a peep or any happy talk coming from US/NATO in Kabul. So everyone continues to hold their collective breath to see what happens next, but sadly we know which direction ...
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