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| Recent Taliban attacks | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 7 2013, 08:55 AM (126 Views) | |
| Circo | Mar 7 2013, 08:55 AM Post #1 |
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![]() Commander of the International Security Assistance Force Following the recent targeted attacks by the Taliban on Afghan Security and Intelligence, I think it is obvious that the Taliban is trying to prevail upon us that Afghanistan is not as secure and safe as we would think it is. Whilst I would not call for extended deployments of ISAF forces, given the plans being made for withdrawal, I do call upon members of ISAF to respond to this incident with their suggestions as to how to proceed. |
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| PolishPrince | Mar 9 2013, 01:37 AM Post #2 |
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![]() Lieutenant General Nick Carter Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force - - - - Sir, From a purely military standpoint; I must confess as to not knowing how we can combat the Taliban without placing more boots on the ground, and without investing significantly more resources into the hearts and minds campaign. If we are to withdraw in the designated time frame, and our political masters seem determined that we should, then I can only see two options. The first is that we encourage the Afghan National Army (ANA) to increase it's vetting procedures, to provide far greater intelligence gathering support to ANA and to increase reaper use. The second is to negotiate with the Taliban, to try and lead them away from terrorism and into mainstream politics... Which may not be overly ambitious, as I imagine there is probably some ethical overlap in the two professions. Edited by PolishPrince, Mar 9 2013, 01:38 AM.
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| Circo | Mar 9 2013, 10:12 AM Post #3 |
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![]() Commander of the International Security Assistance Force I am inclined to agree that increasing surveillance operations should be done by ISAF and providing the information to ANSF to enable them to counter the Taliban's actions. Whilst negotiating a peace with the Taliban would be preferred over conflict, they have proven in the past that politics and diplomacy is not on their agenda. Unless other members of ISAF have any suggestions on how to proceed, we will be increasing surveillance operations with the available forces currently in Afghanistan. |
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| PolishPrince | Mar 9 2013, 10:41 AM Post #4 |
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![]() Lieutenant General Nick Carter Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force - - - - With respect, sir. I think the problem far exceeds simply increasing surveillance, the problem is a regional one. The Taliban, al-Queda, Hezbollah and other subsidiary terror organisations slither across borders with impunity. For us to simply increase operations in Afghanistan, simply invites the Taliban leadership to operate around and beyond the border. We need to tackle the issue regionally, and to do this could cost billions. We'll need dozens, perhaps hundreds, of dedicated UAVs and UAV operators running continuous surveillance operations; they would also need the authority to launch tactical strikes on high value targets with little notice. I imagine such an operation is quite a bit beyond our remit, and would require the total support of the Arab League... However I don't see us getting the support or the funding to conduct such a massive operation. |
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| Circo | Mar 9 2013, 11:23 AM Post #5 |
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![]() Commander of the International Security Assistance Force At present, UAVs contribute upwards of 11% of current operations in Afghanistan. This totals over 3000 ISAF UAV intelligence missions in 2012. I am positive that we can increase surveillance operations, whether that be by increasing UAVs flights or manned flights with emphasis on locating and determining Taliban strongholds for capture by ANSF. Whilst ISAF's mission has been primarily counter-insurgency over the past two years, I am of the opinion that we need to provide support for ANSF to launch and succeed in these operations. This would not require an extension or increase of operations, simply an adjustment of current combat missions to enable maximum success for ANSF. I am against drone attacks, given the reaction from Afghan locals, and am of the thought that conventional attacks on the Taliban by ANSF ground forces would provide a stronger reaction to anti-Taliban operations whilst demonstrating to Afghanistan that their security is not directly tied to ISAF. |
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| PolishPrince | Mar 9 2013, 11:52 AM Post #6 |
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![]() Lieutenant General Nick Carter Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force - - - - While I would agree that conventional assaults on Taliban strongholds would provide a better PR image for the ANSF, it will result in considerably more casualties for our Afghan allies. In an ideal world, that would strengthen the resolve of the Afghan Army but as like as not this could become a war of attrition which the Afghan army is ill suited to fight; especially after the ISAF withdrawal. I cannot envision a future Afghanistan without the Taliban being a real terror threat, unless they are brought into mainstream politics. That being said, and considering their unwillingness to enter into serious peace talks, I think we should also increase funding for anti-Taliban propaganda. |
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| Jos1311 | Mar 12 2013, 12:05 PM Post #7 |
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![]() Permanent Representative to NATO _____ If Washington wants to rely more upon the Afghan National Army and Police, we urge them to reveal their plans to increase the training of the ANA and ANP, because the current efforts are not going to be sufficient. Once the assistance of ISAF is gone, it is not unthinkable that the ANA will fail in keeping security at the current levels. The attacks should be a source of major concern to all NATO partners and we urge all other member states to actively participate in finding a solution to increase security in Afghanistan, while also noting the planned decrease in NATO troop levels in Afghanistan. As stated Berlin is willing to increase its commitment to train Afghan military and police personnel, while we are also willing to facilitate development projects in Afghanistan, in order to increase support for the government in Kabul. |
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| Circo | Mar 20 2013, 11:36 AM Post #8 |
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![]() Commander of the International Security Assistance Force I will inquiry about training plans and provide them to ISAF so that we can discuss how to proceed upon them. |
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