Whining from the Taliban/Muj Crowd
By Larry Johnson on July 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM in Current Affairs
A growing chorus on the left who insist we are losing in Afghanistan may want to come back to reality. While I’m not arguing that things are peachy there are some fascinating signs that the U.S. campaign to capture/kill key leadership is starting to pay some dividends.
Let’s start with the crying and bitching from Osama Bin Laden’s number two, Dr. Ayman Zawahiri. Dr. Z released a recording this past week complaining about a shortfall in cash:
“There are some in the Taliban brotherhood who hold Kalashnikovs in one armory. They don’t have money for bullets. In Allah’s will, I will finish with the following:”
“Let the brothers know that I published this news only after being asked by the leaders of the Taliban to do so, to publish this information so that the Muslims will know that we are in urgent need for money until we’ll drive out the heretics. “
“Brothers! Allah is my witness that I only speak of what I see with my own two eyes. If sufficient money will be found, not a single heretic will sit in Afghanistan.”
I guess that jihad union of the world’s muslims is not working out so good. This latest verbal missive from Dr. Z underscores a point I’ve made for some time–i.e., the vast majority of muslims reject the likes of Bin Laden and Al Qaeda.
Then there is this–the U.S. soldier captured in Afghanistan. Don’t get me wrong. I think it is an awful thing for this soldier. But if you check out the video released this week it tells a pretty interesting story.
The soldier is shown in the 28-minute video with his head shaved and the start of a beard. He is sitting and dressed in a nondescript, gray outfit. Early in the video one of his captors holds the soldier’s dog tag up to the camera. His name and ID number are clearly visible. He is shown eating at one point and sitting on a bed.
The soldier, whose identity has not yet been released by the Pentagon pending notification of members of Congress and the soldier’s family, says his name, age and hometown on the video, which was released Saturday on a Web site pointed out by the Taliban. Two U.S. defense officials confirmed to The Associated Press that the man in the video is the captured soldier.
The soldier said the date is July 14. He says he was captured when he lagged behind on a patrol.
He is interviewed in English by his captors, and he is asked his views on the war, which he calls extremely hard, his desire to learn more about Islam and the morale of American soldiers, which he said was low.
Anytime your enemy has to resort to using a captive to plead for you to surrender you know that you are kicking their ass. I do not believe we can win in Afghanistan through military might alone. Well, guess what? Neither does General Petraeus and General McChrystal. Both men recognize that body counts do not translate into victory. This is not to say they want to pass out daisies. But in tandem with the use of force they recognize that the key is to win the hearts and minds of thousands of village elders.
That’s why I think the latest outbursts from Zawahiri and the captors of this poor U.S. soldier are so instructive–our tactics are degrading the enemy capabilities and they are worried. We now need patience and persistence. If we do not lose our nerve, if we stay calm and focused, we can turn the tide against the ragtag band we label as “Taliban.” The Taliban are not a monolith and they are vulnerable to the ethnic and tribal divisions that remain a harsh reality in Afghanistan. If we can keep the pressure on those fissures the rock of fanaticism will crack under its on insane weight.
(Release: November 13)
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8 years & counting.
God forbid, I’m still holding out for four.
I think Hot Librarian meant we invaded Oct 7 2001, so we’ve been there 8 years already.
9-11-2001
8 years
and counting
Don’t worry. The Russian were there more than 10 years, AND ? So, we have 2 more years to go.
What happened to all the money from the poppy crops we’ve heard about? Must be the Recession. Or maybe the Saudis can’t afford to contribute to their favorite charity anymore.
As I read this post, an image of Dr Zawahiri as Jimmy Swaggart came to mind. If he promised to send an autographed copy of the Koran or a handkerchief blessed by Bin Laden, the money would come pouring in.
Seriously, they should form a committee to investigate the pork and possible mismanagement of their budget. Some of those leaders may be impatient waiting for their seven virgins and mansions in Paradise and decided to syphon off enough for heaven on earth.
AFGHANISTAN: 800 civilians killed in conflict in January-May – UN report
KABUL, 28 June 2009 (IRIN) – Civilian deaths resulting from armed hostilities between insurgents, the US military, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and government forces have increased by 24 percent so far this year compared to the same period in 2008, according to a report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
In May alone, 261 non-combatants lost their lives in conflict in Afghanistan, John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told members of the Security Council at a meeting on 26 June.
One of the worst incidents was in May when dozens of civilians, among them at least 65 women and children, were killed when US forces bombed a village in the Bala Bulok district of Farah Province, southwestern Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said on 26 May.
“UNAMA [the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan] recorded 800 civilian casualties between January and May 2009, mostly in the south, southeast and eastern regions of the country,” states the UN Secretary-General’s report, The Situation in Afghanistan and its Implication for International Peace and Security, which was released on 23 June.
http://www.IRINnews.org IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
We all know how accurate and un-biased the UN can be, and their figures on civilian “non-combatant” deaths must be accepted as gospel (sarcasm, in case you didn’t figure that out. The U.S and NATO do not appear to be purposefully targeting civilians, and there have been many reports of strikes called off because of the possible presence of civilians. Any civilian deaths or injuries are awful and undesired, but when you have an adversary who hides among the civilian population (either through a cooperative civilian population or a coerced population), civilian deaths and injuries are going to occur. The only way to avoid civilian deaths or injuries caused by US or NATO forces would be for those forces to leave Afghanistan completely. While you may well be advocating precisely that, would your conscience feel much better if the Taliban caused even more civilian casualties and deaths after US/NATO forces leave?
The UN is the terrorists’ greatest ally.
Osama bin Laden is dead. The news first came from sources in Afghanistan and Pakistan almost six months ago: the fugitive died in December [2001] and was buried in the mountains of southeast Afghanistan. Pakistan’s president, Pervez Musharraf, echoed the information. The remnants of Osama’s gang, however, have mostly stayed silent, either to keep Osama’s ghost alive or because they have no means of communication.
With an ego the size of Mount Everest, Osama bin Laden would not have, could not have, remained silent for so long if he were still alive. He always liked to take credit even for things he had nothing to do with. Would he remain silent for nine months and not trumpet his own survival? [New York Times. July 11, 2002]
I always suspected that he may have died in the bombing of Kandajar. But if the Bush Adm. had any inkling, they probably kept it quiet because they needed to have people think that Osama was alive so that they could sell their invasion of Iraq.
he’s probably a jihadisicle in a frigidaire somewhere waiting to be thawed for the appropriate occasion.
BARB: HAHAHAHAHA!! So those bin Laden videos are what, CGI? Or maybe his studio is in Area 51? Or maybe Al Jazeera employs a stunt double?
BTW Musharraf said bin Laden MAY BE dead back on 2002. It’s a sad day indeed when someone quotes ol’ Pervez as a reliable source…
Oh, the mission is to outspend and kill the most? I didn’t realize.
I’m sorry, but I don’t draw your conclusion with your meaning that, they are short on money and “verbal missive from Dr. Z underscores a point I’ve made for some time–i.e., the vast majority of muslims reject the likes of Bin Laden and Al Qaeda.” One thing has nothing to do with the other, or they wouldn’t be where they are, correct? There money I’m sure never came from the muslims who reject Al Qaeda.
One incident of kidnapping, does not tell the tale. The increased violence, increased deaths, increased bombs, increased attacks and innocent civilians being killed and maimed, does. We should not be fighting a war in Afghanistan, it’s not working. Yes, obviously due in part to poor planning, but obviously never learning from past mistakes, we cannot win in this type of combat, air strikes on peoples villages hoping to get some inbed Taliban, spending and bombing away on trying to fight an enemy mixed in to the civilians, HElllooo? Well, good to know Obama isn’t being very smart, but apparently his plan is to spend as much doing this and think Al Qaeda will go bust and roll up shop.
You have got to be joking. And how is the plan of ridding Afghanistan of the Taliban while replacing them with the warlords of the Northern Alliance in any way worthwhile?
Unfortunately, we wasted 8 years, as Bush had zero strategy for Afghanistan and Iraq was a complete total distraction.
We are finally taking Afghanistan seriously.
roflmao….this strategy is “taking Afghanistan seriously”?
Define wasted because the enemy was isolated in that infernal land for eight years… until we drove them into Pakistan. Why must we assume a successful strategy has to have a hard conclusion. This conflict will exist so long that radical Islam hates infidels… which is going to be as long as radical Islam exists. What was wrong with containing these guys in Afghanistan and marginalizing them there… with no intent ever to “win”. There will be no winner unless the other side is annihilated. Are we up to that task? I don’t think so.
We must bein wnning. The ACLU is now taking up the case of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Apparently our Predators are violating their rights under the Constitution. Jeez, how about our snipers over there? And what about the snipers of other countries? Will the ACLU assert jurisdiction over them? Will the CIA render them to US justice under a secret Presidential finding? Does anyone have a copy of the old British song, “The World Turned Upside Down?” (Ten points to whoever can explain why this song relates to US history.)
This one is for you Retired, and all those that are.
Ding
The surrender of Cornwallis, but how does;
fit in?
Ten points, Teak!
Ding
(Don’t know why the first link didn’t work)
The Donuts won’t impeach Bush because of political expediency, but “remove” our enemies asymmetrically? No NO Panetta and Pelosi have gone and used the CIA for political expediency and BO wasn’t informed until after the deed was done. So he says…
We must be winning. The ACLU is now taking up the case of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Apparently our Predators are violating their rights under the Constitution. Jeez, how about our snipers over there? And what about the snipers of other countries? Will the ACLU assert jurisdiction over them? Will the CIA render them to US justice under a secret Presidential finding? Does anyone have a copy of the old British song, “The World Turned Upside Down?” (Ten points to whoever can explain why this song relates to US history.)
RA RA Dostum Ra Ra Warlord of the North.
Ask the Tadjiks about him. Ask about his favourite methods of killing enemies or friends that cross him.
The Taliban have nothin on this guy. That prisoner would have been tied to 4 horses then torn up as they driven wild.
So the Tadjiks say.
HEADS UP!
Obama has three (count them) major things he wants to accomplish in his first year.
1. Health Care.
2. Cape & Trade.
3. “Restart” the peace process in the Middle East.
Today Israel’s PM said “NO” to Obama.
No we will not segregate in our country.
” Show me a city in the United States that forbids Jews to build there”.
“We allow Palestinians to build everywhere and we will let Jews do the same.”
WHY today??
Because of what happened on Friday????
After six months —
Six months when Obama went to Egypt and made a speech equating the Holocaust with the Palestinians
Six months when Obama was slooooow to speak out against Iran but Quick to find fault with Israel, Six months when he bowed and met with EVERY scum of the Islamic world —
Obama FINALLY met with American Jews.
Don’t look surprised if that is NEWS to you.
Obama kept the “Meeting” with American Jews off his schedule so the Press would not find out about it.
Obama kept his meeting with American Jews off his schedule so his Islamic friends would not find out about it.
Obama “selected” which American Jews could be at the meeting and which Jews could not.
Obama has not refused to meet with a single Islamic “leader” or to publish the fact that he is meeting with them. But American Jews —-
Today, Sunday 7/19/09 Israel had had enough and told Obama so in no uncertain terms.
NO! a word “The One” is not used to was said loud and clear from Israel — “Settlements will go forward”.
Israel came very close to sending the American Ambassador to Israel home.
Gates has been put on alert by the WH to clear his schedule fly to Israel and conduct top level negotiations with Israel ASAP.
Israel is in position to attack Iran and Egypt is in support.
Egypt, for the first time, allowed Israel to send Warships through Suez.
One was a Nuclear Sub.
Obama has played his hand very badly and now is faced with a Nuclear stand off between Israel and Iran, he is holding DICK for trump.
The American Jewish community is standing behind Israel, at a time Obama needs them for Health Care and Cap & trade.
This is heating up fast.
Stay tuned to Larry and No Quarter.
Of course. I knew somehow the Jews would be blamed for…well, based on your comment it’s unclear. But obviously (fill in the blank) is their fault. Somehow it always is.
Get some help before you spend all your money on tinfoil.
Do you trust this source Mr Johnson? Just wondering because I can’t find any financial information for the NEFA (Nine Eleven Finding Answers) Foundation. It’s listed as a not for profit organization, but do they receive government funding?
The video of Zawahiri was not a video, but an audio tape and the version I saw was just the voice of the translator. Did the CIA verify? Why does the Taliban need money when they are receiving profits from the sale of poppies? Or do they?
Wapo reported in 2007, Afghanistan was the largest producer of heroin base in the world. Have the US and NATO succeeded in reducing production? Or created a new infrastructure in Afghanistan?
Is a military solution possible in that country? It put the final nail in the coffin of the USSR after ten years of war and I don’t believe Pakistan was as troublesome for them at that time.
I’m sorry for that soldier. We can only hope he won’t be subjected to waterboarding or forced into isolation having to listen to loud Arabic music 24/7 or be put into a box with insects. Hopefully, the Taliban doesn’t receive news from the US and this man won’t reap what we have sown.
“He says he was captured when he lagged behind on a patrol.”
That is very strange because 2 US defense sources reported that he had finished his shift and voluntarily left the base in the company of 3 Afghan “counterparts” presumably workers/soldiers from the combat outpost where he is stationed. His body armor and weapon were found on the base. In fact, it took a couple of days for the base to decide he had been kidnapped. It does not seem probable that he should have disappeared in the middle of operations without his body armor and weapon or without anyone’s notice.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31703681
I already have my suspicions, but that’s all they are. Of course very possiblly captured the way things are being operated and conducted over there, but I’m thinking he went willingly. Especially with him claiming I may never see my family again…I may never hug you again…and that his head is shaved and growing a beard. I don’t think they would be trying to make him look like a Taliban as a US captive….just sayin’.
My nose has been twithching since I watched the vid.So different than the soldiers capturned in Iraq.
McChrystal is a war criminal. We killed about 93 children in Afghanistan at once the other month. Wait, this must mean the Taliban is winning since we are stooping to these levels.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/digg/why-american-media-sucks-a-tale-of-4-newsweek
Like Ron Paul says, we stood up to people who had nuclear weapons pointed at us and now we worry day and night about countries with no army, navy, or air force. SMH. I’m sure we will win eventually (rolling eyes)