It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan. Even the rumor that it might take place has sparked demonstrations such as the one that took place in Kabul yesterday. Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult.
Gen. David Petraeus • Saying what should be fairly obvious: If “Burn a Koran Day” takes place, it’s going to greatly complicate the counter-insurgency in Afghanistan. A lot of people outside of the military would agree with him, but the fact of the matter is, they already have proof that it’s rustled up the natives. Oh yeah, Petraeus mentions that burning Korans is something the Taliban does. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, Terry. source
31affiliates of Blackwater helped them get CIA contracts source
» Why this is bad: Blackwater is still managing to get federal money despite their rep cemented by that incident where a bunch of Iraqi civilians got killed. They’ve made $600 million from classified contracts, according to one government official, and just got another $100 million to provide security at Afghan bases. And they’re doing it in such a way as to stay low profile in hopes that nobody notices it’s the same company. Guess that didn’t work.
The point remains that part of this game allows you to play the part of the Taliban attacking ISAF troops in the area of central Helmand where British troops are operating.
A spokesperson for British Defense Secretary Liam Fox • Discussing the new “Medal of Honor” game, which covers the war in Afghanistan and allows you to take the enemy’s side during multiplayer play. You know, like just about every other type of game like this does. The game does not allow you to kill British soldiers, by the way, according to maker Electronic Arts. But Fox’s people stand by the comments, which included his belief that it was “shocking that someone would think it acceptable to recreate the acts of the Taliban against British soldiers.” For EA’s part, they realized the game might spark a little controversy. source
With more Afghan forces, we can be on a path to transition in more places around the country. The success with the [Afghan] army in particular, I think, bodes well for in fact beginning to have some transitions maybe as early as this spring, but certainly beginning in the summer.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates • On whether the U.S. and NATO might be willing to let Afghan security forces take on securing more stable parts of the country. Gates says they could be ready as soon as early next year – a promising sign, considering how long this war has dragged on. source
Wikileaks staff-whomever’s calling the shots there is unconscionably aiding/abetting the enemy;don’t contribute to this. Speak out. Do right
A tweet from @SarahPalinUSA • Taking on Wikileaks’ decision to release more Afghan War documents. Despite the fact that Wikileaks is an organization with no U.S. ties that attempts to operate outside of any government’s control, she invokes freedom of the press in criticizing Wikileaks: “Free press protection gives no license to aid enemy,” she writes. Odds that someone at Wikileaks will heed this: Zero. source