Prince Harry Announces The End Of Afghan Hostilities

As Good Prince Hal makes his return from Lashgar to Las Vegas, marking the official end of the Afghanistan War, a few thoughts emerge from the clip below. 
1. The army briefings of their personnel on the background to the war must be as bad as we suspected - Taliban 'doing bad stuff' to 'our guys'. Taking them 'out of the game'. Self-parody.
2. The royal family have obviously made a deal with the tabloids for favourable coverage of someone who is clearly an inarticulate yob.
3. The Buckingham Palace PR must have worked all night on 'Too much army, not enough Prince' about the Las Vegas hooker episode.

Who lost Afghanistan? | Opinion Column

I don't endorse all this account but an interesting view and precis.
John Havelock: Who lost Afghanistan? | Opinion Columns | ADN.com:

Taliban militants storm Afghanistan police HQ in Kabul

Taliban militants storm Afghanistan police HQ in Kabul; at least 10 wounded - CBS News: "It was the second brazen raid inside the Afghan capital in less than a week, a sign that the insurgency is determined to keep carrying out such spectacular attacks even as the U.S. and Afghan governments try to entice the Taliban into holding peace talks.
The raid started just before dawn when a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle at the gate of the traffic police department building, close to the Afghan parliament and the Kabul zoo, said the city's police chief, Mohammad Ayub Salangi."

Torture Still Rife in Afghan Jails, Says UN

Torture Still Rife in Afghan Jails, Says UN - IBTimes UK:

How it All Began

Link to excellent historical document on roots of Afghan conflict HERE

5 Afghan Civilians Killed By US Drone

At least five civilians have been killed in a US assassination drone strike carried out in Afghanistan’s northeastern province of Kunar, Press TV reports.Villagers say all the victims were civilians and had no links to any militant group.
Kunar is located near the border with Pakistan has been the scene of frequent US assassination drone attacks.
Washington claims the targets of the drone attacks are al-Qaeda militants, but local officials and witnesses maintain that civilians have been the main victims of the attacks over the past few years.
The United States also carries out targeted killings through drone strikes in Yemen, Pakistan, and Somalia.

IED Casualties Up 124% Among Afghan Troops

IED Casualties Up 124% Among Afghan Troops: "IEDs have been one of the top threats for the US forces in Afghanistan but is clearly in decline, killing 104 US troops in 2012 compared with 196 in 2011, a 46 percent drop. The makeshift bombs also wounded fewer troops, from 3,542 in 2011 to 1,744 in 2012, a 50 percent drop, according to Pentagon statistics."

US forces kill four Afghan civilians

US forces kill four Afghan civilians:

Africa's Afghanistan By Pepe Escobar

Listening to Francois Hollande, a Socialist, saying that the bloodbath in Algeria justified his action in Mali which caused it, is a surreal experience. Even Sarkozy, the US shill, would have blushed to make such a remark. France's honourable stance in resisting the Bush debacle in Iraq has been wiped out by a politician who came in on a wave of optimism. Don't they teach the history of France in Algeria in French schools? LINK

US Marine Bales defers entering plea in Afghan Massacre Case

Bales defers entering plea in Afghan massacre case - latimes.com:

Prise d'Otages En Algerie - Clip (French)

Crise globale après la prise d'otages en Algérie by euronews-fr

Afghan police kill own commander in Kandahar

Insider Attack: Afghan police kill commander in Kandahar - Khaama Press (KP) | Afghan Online Newspaper:

Marine faces court martial for urinating on corpses of Taliban

Marine faces court martial for urinating on corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan - Yahoo! News:

Suicide Bombers Attack Afghan Intelligence Agency

Suicide Bombers Attack Afghan Intelligence Agency:

Obama to Take Oath of Office on A Heap of Drones

Obama's drone wars | SocialistWorker.org:

US Orchestrating French Action In Mali

Prisoners Killed in Shooting at Ghazni Jail

Prisoners Killed in Shooting at Ghazni Jail:

Mission Shrink In Afghanistan - Obama Cries 'Victory ..Mission Accomplished'

The administration hints at mission shrink in Afghanistan - The Washington Post: 
"Just eight months ago, U.S. and NATO military officials were anticipating that it would take an international force of around 30,000 soldiers, including 20,000 Americans, to accomplish that mission while also continuing to train the Afghan forces and carrying out counterterrorism missions against al-Qaeda. Since then, however, the White House has quietly changed course, overruling the generals and insisting that plans be drawn up for a far smaller contingent. Mr. Obama’s civilian aides are reported to be pushing for 3,000 or less; last week, a National Security Council spokesman told reporters a “zero option” would also be considered."

3 Afghan soldiers killed, 2 injured in militants attacks

3 Afghan soldiers killed, 2 injured in militants attacks - Khaama Press (KP) | Afghan Online Newspaper:

Destroying Beautiful Lives

Good Taliban, Bad Taliban: Pakistan’s Double Game

Good Taliban, Bad Taliban: Pakistan’s Double Game and the US War on Terror: "The drone strike on 2 January was one of the widely publicized variety because it reportedly killed Maulvi Nazir, a militant leader who had survived three previous attempts on his life, two by CIA drones and one by a suicide bomber. The last of these was attributed by many either to the Tehreek-e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP) or Uzbek militants long established in the region. Nazir’s men had frequently clashed with both groups. "

7 civilians killed by blast while digging through rubble after night raid

Afghan government: 7 civilians killed by blast while digging through rubble after night raid | StarTribune.com:

Hollande steps up France Security over Mali and Somalia

BBC News - Hollande steps up France security over Mali and Somalia:

Mali - US Orchestrated French Intervention

Mali is a complicated situation. But a US General, not the French Government, was first to announce the death of the French hostage in Somalia last night. Therein lies the backdrop to French actions in Africa.

French Attacks In Mali

Ignore the perfunctory Reuters US bias in this clip. The latest French action in Mali was announced by a US NATO General before the French Government announced it. That's all we need to know about where this is coming from.

Rush For The Exits Has Started

BBC News - US troops will end 'most' Afghanistan combat this spring:

CIA - Talk About Politicizing Intelligence! Meet John Brennan

Talk About Politicizing Intelligence! Meet John Brennan, CIA Chief Designee - WhoWhatWhy:

Inside the Terror Factory

Inside the Terror Factory | Mother Jones:

Trusting Karzai

‘Afghans trusting Karzai was mistake’:

US Consider Complete Withdrawal From Afghanistan

Polish troops face trial over Afghan civilians killings

Polish troops face trial over Afghan civilians killings - Khaama Press (KP) | Afghan Online Newspaper: "The incident took place around five years back and at least eight Afghan civilians including women and children were killed after Polish troops opened fire on a wedding party in Nangar Khel village.
The seven Polish troops were cleared of the war crimes by Polish court due to lack of evidence but the military prosecutors have appealed to the Supreme Court of Poland which resulted in re-trial of four troops while the acquittal of the three others were upheld.
Andrzej Oscieki, Lukasz Bywalec, Damian Ligocki and Tomasz Borysiewicz are reportedly the four Polish troops are going to face retrial for the incident."

British forces to be equipped with Glock pistols for protection

British forces to be equipped with Glock pistols for protection in Afghanistan | UK news | The Guardian:

10 Reasons For Pulling Troops Out Now

By Robin Beste
Stop the War Coalition01

October 7, 2012 was the 11th anniversary of the war on Afghanistan -- making it longer than the two 20th century world wars combined and the longest in United States history.02

Every justification we have been given for a war on one of the world's poorest countries has been bogus -- whether it be exporting democracy, liberating Afghan women, combatting the drugs trade or defeating al-Qaeda -- an organisation which even Nato admits has virtually no fighters in Afghanistan.

03 The most absurd justification -- and now the only one used by the British government -- is that the 10,000 UK troops are in Afghanistan to defend Britain's national security interests by keeping our streets safe from terrorism -- despite there being no evidence whatever that any Afghan intends to launch such an attack. In truth, the war in Afghanistan -- alongside other wars Britain has participated in over the past decade -- has made this country more insecure, not less, as was shown by the huge military operation which had to be mounted to protect the London Olympic Games in Summer 2012.
04 The real purpose of the war is for the United States and its allies to control access to the rich oil and natural gas resources of Central Asia, and to counteract China’s strategic influence in the region. The UK as always is hanging on the coat tails of American foreign policy -- wherever its wars may take the British military.
05

Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians have been killed -- with countless more seriously injured -- making Afghanistan one of the most insecure and unstable countries in the world.
06

The war is not only unjustified and futile, but is clearly lost. Over 3000 Nato troops have been killed -- more than 2000 of them American and more than 400 British. They are being killed in ever escalating numbers because the Afghan people want to free their country from foreign occupation -- as the people of any country would want to.
07 Countless numbers of British troops have returned from Afghanistan with life-changing physical and mental injuries -- whether it be the loss of limbs or eyes or the effects of psychological trauma caused be the war. That one in ten of Britain's total prison population is an ex-soldier shows the psychological and social impact for those sent to kill and be killed in foreign wars. 
08

The financial costs of the war are astronomical. The United States has spent so far $1.2 trillion. By the time of the supposed date for withdrawing British troops at the end of 2014, the UK will have spent well over £20 billion. This happens to be the amount the government is planning to cut from the country's National Health Service -- showing how the current attacks on the UK's public and welfare services could be avoided if Britain ended its addiction to war.
09

The "exit strategy" of training the Afghan army and police to take over security for the country at the end of 2014, so that some kind of "victory" can be proclaimed as Nato withdraws its troops, is in tatters. The morale of soldiers in the Nato armies has disintegrated -- faced with a meaningless mission and the escalating number of them being killed by "insider attacks", carried out by the very same Afghan soldiers and police who are the cornerstone of the West's exit plans.
10

As MP Paul Flynn told parliament, soldiers are being deployed in Afghanistan as "human shields" for politicians who would rather the killing and dying continue than have to admit the war is lost. The war should end immediately, all foreign troops should be brought home without firing another shot, and the people of Afghanistan should receive reparations for all the death and destruction of the past eleven years, to help them rebuild their country, free of western intervention.

Tribalism in Kabul

A Mercy Killing in Kabul | VICE: "When I first began working in Afghanistan, I knew nothing about its tribes and their rivalries. Over the years, I have learned that the country is a loosely knit conglomeration of competing ethnic groups. Chief among them are Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras. Strong animosity exists between the Pashtuns and Tajiks. The Taliban emerged from the mostly Pashtun region of southern Afghanistan. The Tajiks made up the bulk of the Northern Alliance and fiercely resisted the Taliban. Then the Taliban government collapsed in the wake of the American-led invasion following the September 11th attacks. The Northern Alliance dominated the new government led by Hamid Karzai, a Pashtun. But many Pashtuns felt Karzai served only as a figurehead to appease international demands for a multi-ethnic unity government. He held little power by himself. It was the Tajiks who ruled. Instead of unity, people retreated to their tribal affiliations and mutually held antagonism, and prepared to resume age old conflicts as soon as western military forces quit the country."

British Soldier Is Latest 'Green on Blue' Victim

Afghanistan: British soldier 'killed by member of Afghan army' in Helmand | Mail Online:

U.S. Drones Target TTP's Maulvi Nazir, Pakistani Negotiations

The Trench: U.S. Drones Target TTP's Maulvi Nazir, Pakistani Negotiations:

US drone attack in Pakistan kills seven 'militants'

BBC News - US drone attack in Pakistan 'kills seven militants':

Afghan policy debate fueled White House, Pentagon mistrust

Afghan policy debate fueled White House, Pentagon mistrust: book | Reuters: "Obama ultimately approved the additional troops after announcing a new strategic direction for the war that called for U.S. forces to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and to pursue a counterinsurgency-style strategy in Afghanistan. But the damage had been done.
"The rising mistrust was disappointing," McChrystal wrote.

After the general was tapped to take over international forces in Afghanistan in May, he conducted a strategic reassessment assisted by civilian defense analysts that concluded at least 40,000 additional troops would be needed to carry out a counterinsurgency strategy.
Several weeks after briefing Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the strategy, McChrystal said he learned it had been leaked to the media, creating pressures on the White House and Pentagon that were not helpful for the decision-making process."

Taliban pledge extended war if US stays

Taliban pledge war if US stays in Afghanistan: "“If America wants to leave a small or large number of its troops for whatever length of time then it means war and destruction will continue in the region for that same length,” the Taliban said in a statement.
“If Karzai and the Kabul regime agree with the presence of even a single American soldier then, just as presently, they shall also be responsible for all future hostilities, casualties and destruction.”
The latest media reports suggest the US Department of Defence has prepared plans that leave either 3,000, 6,000 or 9,000 troops in the country, focused on striking at Al Qaeda militants."

Double suicide attack kills four in South

Double suicide attack kills four in Afghan south - AlertNet:

2012 was a tough year for Afghanistan. 2013 will be tougher

2012 was a tough year for Afghanistan. 2013 will be tougher | GlobalPost:

4th NATO Soldier Killed In Afghanistan in 2013

NATO Soldier Killed In Afghanistan:

Afghanistan soldier found hanged at his Swansea home

Afghanistan soldier Robert Llewellyn Griffiths found hanged at his Swansea home | This is South Wales: "Both Lieutenant David Boyce and Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon were killed while serving with the regiment during the same tour of duty in Afghanistan.
They died in November 2011 when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) and there were a number of service personnel wounded."

Farah police commander and ISAF Contractor Die

Farah police commander killed ISAF's employees dies - PakTribune:

First Danish Special Forces Soldier Killed

39-year-old elite Jægerkorpset sergeant was helping to train a special Afghan police unit when killed by an explosion

René Brink Jakobsen was the first member of the elite Jægerkorpset to be killed in an international mission (Photos: Hærens Operative Kommando / Scanpix)

The death of 39-year-old Jægerkorpset special forces sergeant René Brink Jakobsen late Wednesday night in Afghanistan marks the first time a Danish elite soldier has been killed in an international conflict. 

Jakobsen was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol with his unit, Task Force 7, in the Helmand province. Despite receiving immediate medical aid, Jakobsen was unable to be saved.
LINK

Ancient manuscripts indicate Jewish community once thrived in Afghanistan

Ancient manuscripts indicate Jewish community once thrived in Afghanistan - CBS News:

US War Budget

This is an illustration of the principal reason America is a dystopia. We are on the coat-tails of this madness. No major UK Party offers an alternative to cravenly following this road to perdition.

Taliban Repentis?

Prince Harry - The Hero

Prince Harry's face shows all the tensions of the hourly dangers he faces in Afghanistan. The war for freedom and democracy, keeping Britain safe from tribesmen and farmers in Helmland. Link

‘OK, fine. Shoot him.’ Four words that heralded a decade of secret US drone killings

‘OK, fine. Shoot him.’ Four words that heralded a decade of secret US drone killings: The Bureau of Investigative Journalism: "The media carried detailed accounts of the ‘secret’ attack within days. Yemen’s government, which had co-operated on the strike, also released the names of the six men killed, including that of US citizen Kemal Darwish.
Concerns he had been deliberately targeted were dismissed, as it was reported the intended CIA target was Qa’id Salim Sinan al-Harithi, al Qaeda’s ‘orchestrator’ of the lethal attack on the USS Cole.
As the New York Times noted at the time, ‘Mr. Harethi was not on the FBI’s list of the 22-most-wanted terrorist fugitives in the world,’ and added that ’although investigators wanted to question Mr. Harethi about the Cole bombing, the CIA did not consult law enforcement officials before the Yemeni operation.’"