Lots of interesting tidbits in this one:
In order to “deal with the threat from the Taleban the size of the Afghan National Army might have to increase to 240,000….”
45k increase “would mean sending another nine combat brigades…in addition to the 21,000 already approved by President Obama. This would bring the total American military presence in Afghanistan to about 100,000….”
Despite their tactical failings, the Taliban “have expanded their areas of influence from a presence in some 30 of Afghanistan’s 364 districts in 2003 to one in some 160 districts by the end of 2008, while insurgent attacks increased by 60 per cent during October 2008 to April 2009 alone….”
The article suggests that such an increase would likely force the Brits to up their own contingent…at the same time that they are, once again, considering plans to cut infantry battalions:
“Tonight a former head of the British Army said it would not be possible for Britain to meet its commitment to support Afghanistan for decades if ministers approved a proposal to cut three infantry battalions…. As part of a current internal Ministry of Defence review, a reduction in the size of the infantry, from 36 to 33 battalions, has not yet been ruled out, because of the short-term savings….”
Interesting to see what sort of response McChrystal will get if he makes such bold recommendations. Sad to see the Brits continue the downward spiral their military has been on for the past decade or so.
3 months ago • 0 notes
