Easing up on Afghan airstrikes bad move
Lewis DiuguidIf the United States wants to continue mop-up efforts in Afghanistan to further minimize terrorist forces before the 2014 U.S. troop pull-up, then easing up on airstrikes sends the wrong signal.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai announced over the weekend a ban on Afghan security forces seeking international airstrikes on residential areas. Karzai was angry over the mounting civilian deaths, The Associated Press reports.
That’s understandable.
Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. said on Sunday that his forces also were prepared to comply with Karzai’s demand. Bad move.
It would be better for the U.S. to take greater care in where airstrikes are called to try to prevent civilian deaths.
It would seem important when embroiled in a war to have access to all arrows in the quiver. Otherwise, to safeguard U.S. troops, the pull-out of the military might as well begin today.
Kent Mueller
3 months agoI usually don’t agree with you, Lewis, but I do agree with you on this topic.