Posted on Aug 5, 2014
2-Star Army General killed in Afghanistan (NYT Report)
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Not a lot of details known yet. I'll update as it comes through.
If this is confirmed, does it change your view on our actions and policy in Afghanistan?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/world/asia/afghanistan-attack.html?_r=0
If this is confirmed, does it change your view on our actions and policy in Afghanistan?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/world/asia/afghanistan-attack.html?_r=0
Posted in these groups: 
Afghanistan
Fallen Soldiers
Afghanistan Fallen Soldiers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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As a PSD PL in OEF 11-12, my platoon was involved in a Green on Blue incident, and then 2 days later another near Green on Blue "Mexican-standoff" type situation with guns drawn against a group of Afghan Police . Just 2 months earlier a counterpart of mine in a neighboring district was KIA in a similar GoB incident. Green on Blue attacks in Kandahar 2011/2012 snowballed quickly and caused a significant drain on combat power, resources and nerves in watching the allies you were mandated to bring with you on every single mission.
I can tell you there are few things in this world more frustrating and dangerous than balancing close protection/freedom of movement of your VIPs with the inherent distrust of our Afghan partners. Combine the possibility of a "sleeper-cell" type attack, a possible honor killing in which the Afghan had felt slighted/offended and must take revenge, along with the rampant drug use within so much of the ANSF, and there are so many possibilities as to how or why this attack occurred.
Rest in Peace to the fallen, and hopefully the offending parties have been dealt with accordingly.
I can tell you there are few things in this world more frustrating and dangerous than balancing close protection/freedom of movement of your VIPs with the inherent distrust of our Afghan partners. Combine the possibility of a "sleeper-cell" type attack, a possible honor killing in which the Afghan had felt slighted/offended and must take revenge, along with the rampant drug use within so much of the ANSF, and there are so many possibilities as to how or why this attack occurred.
Rest in Peace to the fallen, and hopefully the offending parties have been dealt with accordingly.
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MAJ (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) The day before I arrived in Kandahar an Afghan soldier opened fire hitting 3, killing 1 Slovakian troop. After that, we basically sequestered them in their own compound. There is no cure for this outside of getting out.
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Every green on blue incident does nearly irreparable damage to an already tenuous relationship- U.S. security forces with Afghan National Army (ANA to include national police). This is frustrating and offensive, but no more offensive to me because of the pay grade of our fallen warrior. It will certainly get more press because of the pay grade, but quite honestly the American public is checked out of Afghanistan, if it were ever check in may be a different conversation.
Green on blue incidents however must NOT shake our resolve to put in place as well trained a force as constraints will allow. Those constraints are political in nature, but include limited time and money. We shouldn't accelerate or taper our withdrawal based on the cost of our efforts. That decision should remain a diplomatic / global political one. Using that lens, it seems as though we have strained diplomatic relations with the Afghan "leadership", so it's time to go. And go we are. (I use quotes for leadership because Karzai isn't the Afghan leader that counts, it is the Taliban leadership that we do and should have diplomatic relations with. Even if those relations are secretive and hostile.
Green on blue incidents however must NOT shake our resolve to put in place as well trained a force as constraints will allow. Those constraints are political in nature, but include limited time and money. We shouldn't accelerate or taper our withdrawal based on the cost of our efforts. That decision should remain a diplomatic / global political one. Using that lens, it seems as though we have strained diplomatic relations with the Afghan "leadership", so it's time to go. And go we are. (I use quotes for leadership because Karzai isn't the Afghan leader that counts, it is the Taliban leadership that we do and should have diplomatic relations with. Even if those relations are secretive and hostile.
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SGT Mitch McKinley
Sir, I am confused by your closing statement. Are you advocating that we secretively collude with the leadership of a group hell-bent on our destruction?
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Maj Ahron Oddman
I wouldn't suggest that we collude. Webster's says that colluding is to come to a secret understanding for a harmful purpose.
But then again I don't equate "diplomatic relations" (to quote my last line) with one's enemy to collusion. When you say "a group hell-bent on our destruction", I assume you're referring to the Taliban-the group born from the Afghan mujahideen, who was formed with direct assistance from the Central Intelligence Agency. But that is a misclassification of the Taliban. While they won't be celebrating July 4th with us anytime soon, they're focus is much more regional than it is global. In accordance with Pashtun tradition, they will remain focused on their homeland, not attacking the West from halfway around the world. They realized that harboring Al Qaeda was a political mistake and have publicly vowed not to host terrorists in the future. I trust the current Afghan government even less than I trust the Taliban. Remember the Taliban's stated mission is to overthrow the install Afghan government, which they will do as soon as we depart, with the assistance of the ISI.
But then again I don't equate "diplomatic relations" (to quote my last line) with one's enemy to collusion. When you say "a group hell-bent on our destruction", I assume you're referring to the Taliban-the group born from the Afghan mujahideen, who was formed with direct assistance from the Central Intelligence Agency. But that is a misclassification of the Taliban. While they won't be celebrating July 4th with us anytime soon, they're focus is much more regional than it is global. In accordance with Pashtun tradition, they will remain focused on their homeland, not attacking the West from halfway around the world. They realized that harboring Al Qaeda was a political mistake and have publicly vowed not to host terrorists in the future. I trust the current Afghan government even less than I trust the Taliban. Remember the Taliban's stated mission is to overthrow the install Afghan government, which they will do as soon as we depart, with the assistance of the ISI.
Though toppled from power in 2001, the Taliban regrouped to resist the U.S.-led occupation of Afghanistan. As international forces draw down, the insurgency remains resilient.
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