Wednesday
Jul162008
Defense officials: Pakistan border porous, foreign fighters in Afghanistan
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 2:38PM
The U.S. forces in Iraq are entering a 45-day period of review recommended by outgoing Multinational Forces commander Gen. David Petraeus. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen recently returned from a visit to the Middle East and he spoke with optimism about his trip to Iraq saying that if conditions continue to improve, he expects "to be able to, early in the fall, to recommend to the secretary and the president further troop reductions."
Regarding Afghanistan, Mullen noted that coalition forces are seeing more foreign fighters flowing across the border with Pakistan "unmolested and unhindered." Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Gates described all U.S. military action toward Pakistan in response to this as defensive counter attacks and dismissed the notion of a cross-border offensive by the U.S. Gates also said that the absence of pressure has created an opportunity for more people to cross the border and launch attacks. He called for more pressure and engagement with Pakistan to increase security on the Pakistani side of the border.
Military commanders in Afghanistan have made it clear that there is an increased need for more troops in there, but both Mullen and Gates have said that an increase of troops in Afghanistan hinges on troop reductions in Iraq. Some forces, the USS Lincoln for example, have been shifted to support Afghanistan and Gates said that other options are being examined. Both Gates and Mullen said that more troops in Afghanistan would make a big difference in security in Afghanistan.
An recent attack on an outpost in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, which killed nine U.S. troops and resulted in the abandonment of the outpost was described by Mullen as one of significant numbers and sophistication. "It was a very large group, several hundred insurgents, it was very well planned, a very sophisticated attack...from what I can see right now is that they were well trained, well armed, and it was a significant number and a complex attack," he said.
Regarding Afghanistan, Mullen noted that coalition forces are seeing more foreign fighters flowing across the border with Pakistan "unmolested and unhindered." Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Gates described all U.S. military action toward Pakistan in response to this as defensive counter attacks and dismissed the notion of a cross-border offensive by the U.S. Gates also said that the absence of pressure has created an opportunity for more people to cross the border and launch attacks. He called for more pressure and engagement with Pakistan to increase security on the Pakistani side of the border.
Military commanders in Afghanistan have made it clear that there is an increased need for more troops in there, but both Mullen and Gates have said that an increase of troops in Afghanistan hinges on troop reductions in Iraq. Some forces, the USS Lincoln for example, have been shifted to support Afghanistan and Gates said that other options are being examined. Both Gates and Mullen said that more troops in Afghanistan would make a big difference in security in Afghanistan.
An recent attack on an outpost in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, which killed nine U.S. troops and resulted in the abandonment of the outpost was described by Mullen as one of significant numbers and sophistication. "It was a very large group, several hundred insurgents, it was very well planned, a very sophisticated attack...from what I can see right now is that they were well trained, well armed, and it was a significant number and a complex attack," he said.
Reader Comments (1)
Dear: Commander.bottom my heart I am from Public Net Work. Please Last time we hear need more troop back up Iraq .Now ask more troop back up AfghanistanPlease Commander let me make clear Commander.Please dont use old Technical and still keep use old tool please need Focus and change new course change new direction Please commander.They ready moved on they will change new course and new direction . Because old location they new ready leaking. Please give respect person Volunteer support troop bring new Idea and Issue Information need focus ..
Dear Commander .. you know we need Leader support Idea make good Plantgood Idea make sense make professional Focus no make mistake.Best Idea do not add more troop every Dept please Focus stay same location..If Commander dont bivied or thinking bad Idea or dont focus I am bring this Issue . Then Commander will see what going on..Here you go Commander.Need security Inspection how much you can Commander. When you read this mesege better start no time . They running and moving location to other location right now. Don't even thinking big joke. That the new Plant they set up attack Military USPlease I remind 1 more time need Focus please.At this time that we need ..Everything you moved they will moved trust me.. 100% I was send Idea 2 month ago to President His OfficeI say please Focus Afghanistan but dont forget Focus Iraq time it change .....// I hope Commander know I am mean..What Commander dont hear and what Commander not ready to see thought yes?Please give public volunteer for respect and take care them Commanderyou will get all Issue what they focus and new Plant and what they try play game set up troop in and out ..I am say 100% have
Sincerely
DavidMua Nguyen Volunteer Public