Author Archive

Hold the Troops: Send Money to Afghanistan Instead »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Apr 1, 2009 in Afghanistan | View Comments

What are we fighting for? Where’s the aid? Reconstruction? Here is an example of the reality on the ground in Afghanistan, how ‘average’ people get by. What if this were you? So what do we do about this?

Obama Plan: Expanding the “Wars” in Central Asia »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 27, 2009 in Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Pakistan | View Comments

Did you know that our troops and bombs are going to be fighting in Pakistan? I’m ready to declare that we have lost in Central Asia. The goal for more funding for Afghanistan is outlined in today’s Washington Post : Obama plans to announce a “simple, clear, concise goal–to disrupt, dismantle and eventually destroy al-Qaeda [...]

We Need to Pay More Attention to New Plans for Afghanistan »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 25, 2009 in Afghanistan | View Comments

While we are all focusing on retaining bonuses to executives at AIG, a pittance compared to the numbers from our larger economic woes, the rest of the world is being ignored. Our eyes are off the ball. This is how Vietnam escalated. No one paid attention, and no one stood up to stop the buildup. [...]

Should Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Others Go to Jail? »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 22, 2009 in Current Affairs | View Comments

This last week Lawrence Wilkerson, Chief of Staff to then Secretary of State Colin Powell, said that many Guantanamo detainees are innocent and have been held for six or seven years. U.S. leadership became aware of improper vetting of prisoners and did nothing about it. Rumsfeld and Cheney fought efforts to address the situation because [...]

Afghanistan: Ending a Failed Military Strategy »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 16, 2009 in Current Affairs | View Comments

The title is taken from the briefing paper published in November 2008 by September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. I received this in an email from Voters for Peace (www.votersforpeace.org) and they are asking us to take action now. I agree with their reasons and recommendations, do you? Their email says: Voters for Peace joins [...]

Out of Iraq and Afghanistan NOW. »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 12, 2009 in Current Affairs | View Comments

Over 4,200 brave US soldiers died in Iraq, and 580 have died in Afghanistan. Over 30,000 wounded in Iraq, and over 2,700 wounded in Afghanistan. Not easy to imagine. OK, do you have a son or daughter? What is her or his name? Does your child have any children? Well, I’m sorry to inform you [...]

You Named That Country! »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 9, 2009 in Afghanistan, Barack Obama | View Comments

The correct answer to my first post here at No Quarter, “Name That Country!,” was: Afghanistan Yes, maybe that was too easy of a question. I think the clue was that girls only go to school for four years, so that somewhat limited your choices. Yesterday I asked you to guess the country. Today I [...]

Name That Country! »

By Niaf Sag Tan on Mar 8, 2009 in Afghanistan | View Comments

[Welcome a new writer who will focus on what is going on in, well, see if you can guess.] Nation formed in 1747 7.5% Growth Rate 18 per cent commercial bank prime lending rate 13% inflation rate 46 airports, 34 unpaved 34 provinces About the size of Texas 28% of the population over 15 can [...]