How a Zombie Wargame Explains Our Fail War in Afghanistan

[Airborne Rifles]

Hey sorry, just started reading this thread.  I have certainly been busy the past couple weeks but operations have slowed down and I've had a little more "me" time.

I think the article is overly simplistic and doesn't represent what is actually happening here at all, at least in this little corner of Afghanistan.  The majority of the Taliban fighters here (a little ways outside Khandahar City) are for the most part as foreign as we are, and by foreign I don't just mean from across the border in Pakistan.  Sure there is the contigent of Afghans who fight as well but even they are not usually locals.  The fact is that the fighters, weapons, and materials in this area are funded largely by two sources: donations by rich individuals in the Gulf States and proceeds from the poppy harvest which the Taliban infiltrate to guard, harvest, and sell.  Last year was a disasterous year for the Taliban in this area because the poppy harvest was poor coupled with the fact that they took serious caualties.  That affected their foreign donations which have also trailed off due to the NATO announcement that we are leaving.  Right now my unit is trying to figure out what kind of a poppy harvest we are going to have this year to try to detrmine what resources the Taliban will have to fight this summer. 

So the problem isn't really the whole idea that when you kill an isurgent you create two more.  The problem here is that the local governance and police force are corrupt and ineffective.  The biggest initiative right now is actually to arm the local Afghans to police their own villages.  Before you gufaw at this, realize all of our intelligence points to the fact that this is the tactic the Taliban fear most.  Unfortunatley, these local policemen tend to be less inclined to resist when they are not supplied with fuel and ammunition, a task at which the Afghan government infrastructure is abysmally poor due to corruption, illiteracy, and ineptitude.  If the locals can't resist the outside influences then the foreign fighters can come in and demand food, shelter, money, and cooperation.  In the end the locals will usually support whichever side they think is going to win.

Anyway, that's the view from this corner of Afghanistan.  I'll leave the grand strategy of why we are here and the question of if we can ultimately win or not to others.  Just keep in mind that your average Afghan isn't really much different from your average American when it comes down to it.  He would really just like to go work his field or go to the market without being shot, or blown up, or shaken down for money to line the pockets of one faction or the other.

[Longdan]

Hey thanks for that Airborne.  It lines up pretty well with what my friends returning from over there have been saying.
Keep your head down.

[LongBlade]

That also seems to be going just swimmingly...especially considering their neighbor is currently the one doing it.

I know. I'm probably wrong, but that's what I think.

I have a friend who simply replies, "They have a very deep bench."

[Arctic Blast]

That also seems to be going just swimmingly...especially considering their neighbor is currently the one doing it.

I know. I'm probably wrong, but that's what I think.

I have a friend who simply replies, "They have a very deep bench."

It's also pretty much impossible to do. The government exists in name only once you get outside Kabul. The warlords sure as Hell don't care so long as nobody is messing with them. A unified group that you might stand up against them simply doesn't exist.

[Airborne Rifles]

On an only marginally related note, I know the Muslim call to prayer can be sung very beautifully, but when I deploy I always seem to end up next to the mosque with the crier who sounds like a dying cat.  It gets old and I thought I'd share.

[bayonetbrant]

^^  maybe it's just the same guy that they shuffle around to wherever you're deployed ;)

[LongBlade]

^^  maybe it's just the same guy that they shuffle around to wherever you're deployed ;)

My thought was that perhaps it may have been deliberate.

[Airborne Rifles]

^^  maybe it's just the same guy that they shuffle around to wherever you're deployed ;)

More than likely.  The guy certainly seems to try to make up for his lack of ability with volume and motivation.

[bob48]

^sounds like my sex life  ;D

[Longdan]

Nudge...nudge  ^^  Say no more old fellow!!