Saturday, February 13, 2010

Operation Moshtarak ( Together ) - Results

BBC News: Reports on the early success of Operation Moshtarak, from operational reports it seems that the Taliban have withdrawn from Marjah, thus a success for NATO. As noted in this blog the Taliban could withdraw and hide in plain sight, what should worry NATO is what comes afterwards, the Taliban had no chance in a direct one to one fight with NATO, but that is not the point with Afghanistan, just ask the USSR. The point is after the initial military assault will NATO face an increase in insurgent attacks and will it the be able to hold Marjah and other areas. Also will the Kabul Government gain the loyalty of these new areas under NATO control, will the local people feel some kind of loyalty to Kabul. The Taliban have a strategic decision to make, do they hold back and wait for the Obama surge troops to go home in 2011 and face the prospect that they cant win back the population or do they carry on with the their insurgent fight, either could option and they could lose. Lets hope they make bad choice.

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