Posts Tagged taliban

Washington Examiner EXTRA: Latest news on Osama bin Laden’s death

From: The Washington Examiner

Washington Examiner EXTRA: Latest news on Osama bin Laden’s death

We’ve collected all of our coverage here. We’ll continue to update this post throughout the day.


Examiner EditorialBin Laden could run but he couldn’t hide from the U.S.

A decade ago in the terrible aftermath of one of America’s darkest days, President George W. Bush vowed that “I don’t know if it will be tomorrow, or next month, or next year, but we will get him.” Five years later, tough interrogation by the CIA of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and another Osama bin Laden henchman turned up the nickname of an especially trusted courier of the al Qaeda leader. Read More
Nate Beeler’s Cartoon – The End of Osama bin Laden

Check out more of Nate Beeler’s cartoons here.
News from the Examiner’s staff writers:

Emily Babay and Brian HughesCrowds rejoice at White House after news of bin Laden’s death

Flag-waving Washingtonians flocked to the White House after learning of Osama bin Laden’s death, cheering and chanting “USA, USA,” into the early morning hours Sunday night and all afternoon Monday.  Read More
Susan FerrechioLawmakers credit Obama, Bush for killing bin Laden

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill put aside their partisanship at least temporarily Monday and praised President Obama for the mission resulting in the death of Osama bin Laden.  Read More

Read the rest of this entry »

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FET works with Now Zad District governor to improve, rebuild area

From: HQ ARRC

Female engagement team in Now Zad, Helmand province, Afghanistan

Maj. Aniela K. Szymanski, the Civil Affairs Group team leader in Now Zad, Helmand province, Afghanistan, greets the deputy district governor, Haji Saied Abdul Quyum, at his compound, April 8. The meeting between Szymanski, Marines with the Female Engagement Team, and the district governor, Saied Murad Sadat covered the growth of the Now Zad women’s center, the local schools and other upcoming community improvement plans.

Story and phots by Lance Cpl. Katherine M. SolanoSmall RSS Icon

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – The female engagement team in Now Zad, Helmand province, Afghanistan, is pushing for the speedy development of a women’s center, new school and other community projects.

In an effort to move the plans along, the Marines and their interpreter met with the district governor, Saied Mourad Sadat, at his compound, April 8.

They have made progress in the short time they have been here, but acknowledge there is still a long way to go.

“I wish things would work short term, but everything takes a long time to accomplish,” said Sgt. Habiba Abida, a team leader with FET 12, Now Zad. “It’s hard to give yourself deadlines for certain goals.”

The focus of the meeting was largely on the efficient development and management of the women’s center, but also on the female population in Now Zad as a whole.

“I’ve heard FET go and talk to females and ask what problems they have,” Sadat said. “Then [FET] comes and tells me what the women said so I can help, and it is positive for Now Zad and its people.”

Staff Sgt. Martha Warren, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the Regimental Combat Team 8 FETs, asked the district governor what specific problems women in his district were having.

“There is nothing for the widows,” Sadat replied. “We are in the process of getting [females with skills] to work and teach each other to provide for themselves.”

Warren, of Stone Park, Ill., also asked what specific impact FET was having on the local community.

“FET is a very good thing, because for the past five years with the war, lots of people have lost everything,” Sadat stated in response. “Females should know how to take care of themselves and their children.”

This is one of the main objectives of FET: to give women the skills and knowledge they need to make a living for themselves or to help support their husbands and families.

“Females are important, because a lot of families here are poor,” Sadat said. “Husbands go to the Taliban for work, but if the wives can teach husbands to work with the government instead of with people who are trying to destroy the country or villages, it will be good.”

They also discussed the hiring of a custodian for the women’s center, and how to teach local woman skills such as agriculture and sewing.

“I would love to say that by my first [mission break] I will have a full-time custodian at the women’s center, chickens for the coops, and sewing machines so the women could sew uniforms for Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan public schools,” said Abida, an Arlington, Va., native.

Abida felt that progress was made, and plans to meet in the near future to continue discussions were set. The district governor closed the meeting with an invitation for the FET Marines, and others with their unit, to join him for a dinner at his compound later that evening.

The dinner included a bonfire, traditional Afghan meal, music and hookah, but little talk of business. The dinner was more about a celebration of the growing working relationship between the Marines and the people of Now Zad.

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Gurkha gets UK´s 2nd Highest Medal for Bravery

From: The Himalayan Times

Sergeant Dip Prasad Pun

Sergeant Dip Prasad Pun - Pun fired 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine to thwart the assault by Taliban fighters

KATHMANDU: A British Gurkha soldier who single-handedly fought off an attack by at least a dozen Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan has been awarded the United Kingdom’s second highest medal for bravery, British media reported.

Acting Sergeant Dip Prasad Pun, 31, who hails from western Nepal and serves in the British Army, exhausted all of his ammunition and resorted to using the tripod of his machine gun to repel the militants who were in 15 to 30 in number.

According to the BBC, he said he was very proud to be given the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

“I think I am a very lucky guy, a survivor,” he added. “Now I am getting this award, it is very great and I am very happy.”

From: Google

He said he thought the assault would never end and “nearly collapsed” when it was over, admitting: “I was really scared. But as soon as I opened fire that was gone — before they kill me, I have to kill some.”

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The Battle No One Reported

Wired’s Danger Room has and excellent article on a battle that took place in Margah Afghanistan. It astounds me that some of the best war reporting going on right now is from a technology website:

It was the one of the biggest localized fights of the 10-year-old Afghanistan war — and one of the most lopsided battlefield victories for American forces. But the nearly 12-hour Battle of Margah barely registered in the news cycle back in America.

When the sun rose and the dust settled, 92 insurgents lay dead around the outpost, according to Army figures. Five Americans were wounded, but none was killed.

Many media outlets have seem to have forgotten that there is still fighting going on in Afghanistan. The media has taken the president’s announcement that troops will begin to withdraw in the summer, as a pretext to stop reporting on what is happening there and to make the president look good by not reporting stories like this one, where a massive battle took place.

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Female Engagement Team Marines bridge gap between Western, Afghan culture

By Sgt. Jesse Stence

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan
Sgt. Meredith Burns has fielded numerous questions about females in combat since she deployed to Afghanistan as 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment’s Female Engagement team leader nearly six months ago.

The FET is a favorite target of media looking to document females on the front lines, but the real story is sometimes lost, Burns said.

The FET Marines aren’t meant to be interchangeable with infantry regulars; rather, they complement the coalition counterinsurgency strategy by reaching out to Afghan communities in a culturally sensitive way. They help amplify the voice of Afghan women.

When asked what civilian job is like being a FET Marine, Burns smiled thoughtfully, pondering the question.

Like a community organizer? A negotiator, a fund-raiser?

There are so many aspects of this job; it’s not just one thing, Burns finally said. There is no one civilian job I could compare it too. Read the rest of this entry »

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Countering Global Insurgency

From: Counterinsurgency by David Kilcullen

Countering Global Insurgency

Since the United States declared a global “war on terrorism” following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, some analysts have argued that terrorism is merely a tactic, thus a war on terrorism makes little sense. Francis Fukuyama’s comment that ” the war on terror” is a misnomer… terrorism is only a means to an end; in this regard, a war on terrorism makes no more sense than a war on submarines” is typical. This view is irrelevant in a policy sense (the term “war on terrorism” is a political, not an analytical, expression) but nonetheless accurate. Indeed, to paraphrase Clausewitz, to wage this war effectively, we must understand its true nature: neither mistaking it for nor trying to turn it into something it is not. We must distinguish Al Qaeda and the broader militant movements it symbolizes—entities that use terrorism—from the tactic of terrorism itself. In practice, as I will demonstrate, the “war on terrorism” is a defensive war against a worldwide Islamist jihad, a diverse confederation of movements that uses terrorism as its principle—but not its sole—tactic.

– Excerpt from,  Counterinsurgency by David Kilcullen  -2010

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Counterinsurgency

Your company has just been warned for deployment on counterinsurgency operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. You have read David Galula, T. E. Lawrence, and Robert Thompson.  You have studied  FM 3–24 and now understand the history, philosophy, and theory of counterinsurgency. You have watched Black Hawk Down and The Battle of Algiers, and you know this will be the most difficult challenge of your life.

But what does all the theory mean, at the company level? How do the principles translate into action—at night, with the GPS down, the media criticizing you, the locals complaining in a language you don’t understand, and an unseen enemy killing your people by ones and twos? How does counterinsurgency actually happen?

– Excerpt from,  Counterinsurgency by David Kilcullen  -2010

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Body of soldier Liam Tasker brought back to Britain with the ashes of his dog

 

“The body of a Fife soldier who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month has been flown back to Britain, along with the ashes of his loyal dog who died just hours after him.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker (26), from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, became the 358th British soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2001, after he was shot on March 1 while he and his springer spaniel, Theo, were on patrol in Helmand Province.
liamtasker2

While Theo initially survived the attack, he died on return to the British base at Camp Bastion.

The pair, deemed “inseparable” by colleagues, were flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire from Afghanistan on Thursday.”

Original Warrior Times post.

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Fife/article/11720/body-of-fife-soldier-lance-corporal-liam-tasker-is-brought-back-to-britain.html

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Lance Corporal Liam Richard Tasker killed in Afghanistan

No doubt Tasker and Theo were targeted because they were saving lives by finding IEDs

From: MOD

2 Mar 11

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lance Corporal Liam Richard Tasker, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 1 March 2011.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and Theo

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and Theo - MOD

Lance Corporal Tasker deployed to Afghanistan on 8 September 2010 as part of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment. Having trained as an Arms and Explosives Search dog handler, he was attached to 1st Battalion Irish Guards on 19 February 2011.

On 1 March 2011, LCpl Tasker was taking part in a patrol with his dog, Theo, when they were engaged by small arms fire, during which LCpl Tasker was struck and died from the injuries he sustained. Sadly on return to Camp Bastion, Theo suffered a seizure and died.

Lance Corporal Liam Richard Tasker

LCpl Liam Tasker was born on the 11 December 1984 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. He joined the Army in 2001 and was originally a vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. His passion though, was always dogs which led to his transfer to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 2007.

A trainer who had a natural empathy with dogs, he was a rising star within the Dog Training group. In 2010, he was posted to 104 Military Working Dog Squadron, St Georges Barracks, North Luffenham, Rutland, part of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment.

From the onset of his operational tour in Afghanistan, he provided strong search and clearance capability for units across Helmand Province. In a short period of time, he had significant success locating Improvised Explosive Devices, weapons and bomb making equipment. His success undoubtedly saved many lives.

Lance Corporal Tasker was an outgoing, jovial and friendly character. He was extremely popular within the Squadron. His easy going, confident approach belied a consummate professional. He always strived to be the best and within the Squadron he was one of the best and he will be sorely missed by all in the Squadron.

He can never be replaced and will always be remembered. He was a fun, friendly, talkative character who always wanted the best from his dog, his troops, and himself.

He leaves behind his mother Jane Duffy, his father Ian Tasker, his brother Ian and his two sisters, Laura and Nicola, and girlfriend Leah.

Liam’s family said:

“There are three words that best describe Liam, larger than life. He lit up every room he walked into with his cheeky smile. He was the best son, grandson, brother and friend you could ever wish to meet. He died a hero doing a job he was immensely passionate about. We are so proud of him and everything he’s achieved. Words can’t describe how sorely he will be missed.

“Sleep well Liam you are forever in our hearts.”

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Deadly Panjwai in Kandahar Province

From: Michael Yon
27 February 2011
Filed from Tarin Kot, Urozgan Province

Panjwai has been one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. Much Canadian, American, and Afghan blood has soaked into this ground.

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Podcast: Michael Yon with Military.com

Podcast: Michael Yon with Military.com

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Afghan Guards sacrificed their lives thwarting attack

KABUL, Afghanistan — “The heroes in the suicide bombing of the Kabul City Center shopping mall on Monday were not among the police officers or NATO coalition and American Special Forces soldiers who showed up later.

They were Gul Agha and Lal Mohammed, two poorly paid security guards who have what lately has been one of the worst jobs in Afghanistan — screening visitors at the door…. witnesses reported an exchange of gunfire right before the bomber detonated the explosives in his vest. The only fatalities were the bomber and the guards, the police said, and two bystanders were wounded.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/world/asia/15afghanistan.html?_r=1&src=mv

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Solution: Kill The Enemy

The Washington Examiner has a great article on our military capturing and releasing combatants.

A marine stationed in southern Afghanistan’s volatile Helmand province told The Examiner that efforts to detain insurgent fighters are “worthless.”

Earlier this year, his unit held a man known to be working with the Taliban. The Marines had gathered evidence that the man was transporting hundreds of pounds of bomb-making equipment and explosives for the Taliban. But, shortly after they captured him, he was set free.

“Less than two weeks later, we saw the same guy walking through the bazaar,” said the marine, who spoke on condition that he not be named. “He recognized us. I wanted to shoot him right then and there. We got the guy, and yet there he was, walking around planning to kill again, and we couldn’t do a thing about it.”

If the military brass and politicians would stop trying to direct the war and instead focus on killing those who take up arms against us and those who are helping them, I think the morale of the soldiers would be higher and the war would be over. It seems ever since World War II we decided to fight the rest of our wars with one hand tied behind our back.

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US Troops fight to re-open school in Taliban area

In this photograph taken Sept. 10, 2010, an Afghan soldier looks out from a guard tower above the Pir Mohammed school, in Zhari district, Kandahar province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. Over the last six months, U.S. troops have wrested the school away from insurgents. They've hired Afghan contractors to rebuild it, and lost blood defending it. But the tiny school has yet to open, and nobody's quite sure when it will. (AP Photo/Adil Bradlow)

“Over the last six months, U.S. troops have wrested the school away from insurgents. They’ve hired Afghan contractors to rebuild it, and lost blood defending it.

But the tiny school has yet to open, and nobody’s quite sure when it will.

American commanders have called the Pir Mohammed primary school “the premier development project” in Zhari district, a Taliban heartland in Kandahar province at the center of …. [the] 30,000-man surge.”

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2010/12/04/5579182-us-fights-to-open-school-in-taliban-area

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Pentagon report: Afghans believe Taliban victory inevitable

“Washington (CNN) — A new Defense Department report on Afghanistan says dramatic increases in fighting against the Taliban have failed to convince the local population that the Afghan government and coalition forces will succeed.

“The Taliban’s strength lies in the Afghan population’s perception that Coalition forces will soon leave, giving credence to the belief that a Taliban victory is inevitable,” the report says.”

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/us.afghanistan.taliban/

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