Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Gorbachev pessimistic over US winning the Afghan war

11/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


A day after he attended the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany, USSR's former president Mikhail Gorbachev, the architect of perestroika (rebuilding) in the 1980’s which led to Soviet Union's dissolution spoke his thought. He said the United States would not win in Afghanistan war.

Gorbachev advised against beefing up US troops to combat the lawless Taliban--- Thinking that it would be better to withdraw, he based his advice from USSR’s experience learned from the Soviet's military campaign in the 1980’s. The Russians concluded that Afghanistan was too fractious and divided by clans, making it very hard for the poorly developed country to be united.

As the 78-year old Soviet leader said this, he was not banking that Pres. Barack Obama would heed his advice. He thought there was nothing to be gained from continued engagement with the Afghans. So in 1988 till early 1989, Soviet forces pulled out from the Afghanistan.

“Obama is considering a military request to send as many as 40,000 more U.S. soldiers to Afghanistan, on top of the 68,000 due to be stationed there by the end of the year. Other North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces, comprising personnel from 42 countries, number about 36,000.”---- Bloomberg.com (11/10/09, Burns, C; Donohue, P.)

Afghanistan is struggling to control the heightened attacks of the Taliban who harbors the terrorist group Al Qaeda. Alhough Pres. Hamid Karzai is declared the winner in the contested election, his continued stay in power has to deal with massive government corruption which is difficult to eradicate. (Photo Credit: ctv.ca)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon 14 US troops killed in Afghanistan

10/27/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


As the Obama administration mulls on what policy to pursue for American troops in Afghanistan, 10 Americans including three Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents were killed in a bloody helicopter crash on Monday, October 26, 2009.

The US military aircraft was on its way from a firefight with suspected Taliban drug peddlers in Western Afghanistan. In addition to the 10 casualties, 4 other American troops died when two helicopters collided in a separate incident in Southern Afghanistan.

“The crash came less than a week after a U.N. report found that the drug trade is enabling the Taliban to make more money now than when they ruled Afghanistan before the U.S. invasion in 2001. The DEA sent more agents to Afghanistan this year to take part in military operations against insurgents who use drug smuggling to raise funds for their war against NATO and its Afghan allies.”----http://apnews.myway.com (10/16/09, Reid, R.H; Vogt, H.)

The deaths of US servicemen brought a discouraging blow to the morale of troops serving in the battlefield. The Obama administration had been debating whether to send additional US forces to Afghanistan, but doubts had been high following a national election that was deemed to have been riddled with fraud.
Casualties from the DEA were the first since they started serving in 2005 in a troubled country known for its massive opium trade.

U.S. military officials believed the crashes were not the result of enemy engagement, but Taliban forces insisted they shot down a U.S. helicopter in the western province of Badghis. (Photo Credit: wil) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Afghanistan election: why is Pres. Hamid Karzai leading the race?

9/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post



The contentious presidential election in Afghanistan has not been settled. The country’s Independent Election Commission reveals about 500 voting posts have been rejected because of accusations of fraud. The counting at this time puts Karzai ahead of his rival Abdullah Abdullah with total votes of 48.6% and 31.7% respectively.

According to the New York Times report, Karzai and his supporters put up about 800 fraudulent polling places to rig the election Moreover it was alleged by Afghan and Western leaders that the votes in certain voting stations far exceeded the usual number, some as high as 10 times the usual.

As the alleged cheating is being investigated, the final tall of election results is expected to be finished next month. The IEC has received more than 2,000 complaints related to the election last August 30. 2009. (Photo Credit: World Economic Forum) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon 90 perish in NATO airstrike in Afghanistan

9/05/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

An airstrike targeting two fuel vehicles had caused the deaths of at least 90 Afghanis, many civilians. Taken by Taliban militants the trucks were brought to Aliabad town in Kurduz province. About 50 Taliban insurgents died. The casualties were trying to pilfer gas from the hijacked vehicles on Friday, September 4, 2009.

An investigation is on-going. There is resentment of the village people regarding the deaths and Pres. Hamid Karzai expressed that “targeting civilians is unacceptable.” The deaths of undetermined number of civilian in the crossfire have drawn the human rights groups complaining. They say killing of civilians results to more recruits to terrorism---in support of the call of Taliban extremists.

In July there was an order from U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal to avoid the use of airstrikes precisely to avoid casualties. (Photo Credit: media =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Taliban suicide bomber kills 23 in Afghanistan attack

9/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


The Taliban claiming responsibility, a suicide bomber detonated himself killing 23 people in a a crowded Mosque in Mehtarlam, Laghman Province, about 100 miles from the capital city of Kabul.

The deaths coincided with rising dispute on who won the recent presidential election which had served as the Afghanistan’s deputy intelligence officer. The government and the United Nations (UN) condemned the attack. Pres. Hamid Karzai (47.3%) leading against his rival Abdullah Abdullah (32.6%) on recent vote count.

The bombing which occurred in Ramadan apparently targeted Abdullah Laghmani who served as Afghanistan’s deputy intelligence officer. (Photo Credit: Travelblog.com) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Taliban steps up violence as election draws near in Afghanistan

8/19/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Trying to thwart the election scheduled on Thursday, August 20, 2009, Taliban forces increased their campaign of violence in the capital city of Kabul in Afghanistan killing at least 8 people and leaving about 50 wounded. Two Afghan staff of the United Nations and one foreign soldier were among the latest casualties.

A suicide bomber directed an explosive-bearing vehicle in a busy highway. Missiles were fired close to the presidential palace and defense ministry. In Uruzgan province, an insurgent attacked a polling station, leaving four Afghan soldiers and two civilians dead.

“For the election, some 300,000 Afghan and international troops and police officers, are tasked with protecting 29,000 polling stations, with what the government describes as a four-tier ring of security.”---Voice of America (08/18/09, Herman, S.)

Dubbed as "a day of peace, the election is expected to allow about 80% of electorates to cast their votes. A huge electoral participation will help in bringing unity, curtail corruption and reconciliation among warring ethnic groups. The Afghan government and international security forces have prepared for more attacks on election day.(Photo Credit tanweer1) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon 10 Filipino OFWs perish in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan

7/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Breaking the prohibition by the Philippine government, 10 Filipino OFWs illegally worked in war-torn Afghanistan. They were killed when a Russian-owned civilian helicopter they were riding crashed in the Kandahar Airbase tarmac. Investigation to know the cause of the crash was on-going.

Among the recognized fatalities are Marvin Najera of San Fernando, Pampanga; Ely Cariño of Cabusao, Camarines Sur; Manolito Hornilla of Taysan, Batangas; Mark Joseph Mariano of Floridablanca, Pampanga; Celso Caralde of Butuan City; Rene D. Taboclaon (Cagayan de Oro City), Recardo E. Vallejos (Bislig, Surigao del Sur) and Noli M. Visda, of Lubao, Pampanga.

The OFW’s who previously worked in the Middle East in 2004 came to Afghanistan to work illegally. After returning to the Philippines, they left the country in July this year to find employment abroad. Approximately 1,500 Filipinos have presently taken jobs in Afghanistan.

Even if the country forbids Filipinos from taking jobs in dangerous and far places like Afghanistan. the workers came, acting as tourists from Dubai. This illustrates the desperation of Filipinos to find employment---anywhere, anytime and anyplace? (Photo Credit: Aryty) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon More Taliban fighting in nuclear-armed Pakistan

5/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


There is cause to worry when about a million Pakistanis abandon their villages as Taliban extremists occupy their homes and put landmines in buildings. It is feared that if Pakistan's nuclear arsenal get into the hands of the Taliban radicals, the risk of a nuclear catastrophe becomes increasingly real. Aside from the Islamic insurgency, Pakistan faces border threats from neighboring India.

“Pakistani security forces killed 35 militants on Wednesday in fighting in a mountain valley 100km (60 miles) northwest of the capital, a paramilitary force said.”----Telegraph.co uk. (05/06/09, Wilkinson, I)

Clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces come as a consequence of the failure of a 3-month truce forged by the two opposing sides. The curtailment of the Taliban has been the focus of the US government which lends support to Pakistan's faltering campaign versus violence and extremism.

“The tribal areas of the Northern West Frontier Regional Province (NWFP) that border Afghanistan are steadily falling to a creeping Taliban-led militancy. Military operations have proved ineffective and the militants have rejected offers of any ceasefire while government offices, the Chief Minister's house and military camps are now under attack in the area as well.”----http://wwww.adnkronos.com

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan president Hamid Karzai met with Barack Obama today to talk about the campaign against the Taliban. The Islamic militanta swept the Swat Valley and Buner areas about 60 miles from the Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad. As a consequence, 500,000 civilians had been caught in the crossfire, forcing them to leave villages and homes destroyed by a rebellion that wants to impose Islamic law.

“Acknowledging that 'the road ahead will be difficult,' Obama said he has made a 'lasting commitment' to not only defeat extremism in both countries but to salvage their shaky democracies.”----AP (05/06/07, Hurst, S)

Faced with a weak Zadari government and corruption in Afghanistan, the United States is left to work with its allies to counter the growing influence of the Taliban. Most of the military offensives done against the Taliban in recent years are inconclusive, needing more sustained effort and financial aid. America is saddled with this long and expensive war whose end remains unclear.(Photo Credit: Tanweeer x 2) =0=



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PostHeaderIcon New Pakistani president’s war against terror & the need to secure nuclear weapons

9/08/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Pakistan enters a new phase in governance with the election of Pres. Asif Ali Zadari, 53 year old widower of slain leader Benazir Bhutto who died on December 27, 2007. His landslide win on September 6, 2008 is immediately greeted by a huge suicide explosion near Peshawar, a troubled northwest part of the country killing at least 35 and wounding many more. Militants allied with the Taliban claimed responsibility for blowing up a pick-up truck that counted a teacher, a guard and seven police officers among the dead. AP (09/07/08, Khan, R.)

Called Mr. Ten Percent for alleged corruption during the Bhutto administration, Zadari who is considered as a pro-Western liberal is expected to follow Pervez Musharraf’s anti-terrorist efforts. Hard on insurgency in this violence-prone Moslem nation, Zadari’s position is in line with the American campaign against Islamic terrorism in neighboring Afghanistan. But he faces pressure to balance the local crack-down down on militants and his support for United States which recently led a controversial assault against rebels in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

"I've been impressed by some of the things he has said about the challenges that Pakistan faces, about the centrality of fighting terrorism, about the fact that the terrorism fight is Pakistan's fight and also his very strong words of friendship and alliance with the United States," Condolezza Rice said. AP (09/07/09,Ahmad, M.)

Washington is closely concerned with the future of Pakistan with its arsenal of nuclear weapons. With the power to scrap the parliament and appoint army officers, Zadari heads the civilian-military committee which oversees Pakistan's nuclear arms. It remains to be seen how much influence Zadari has over the powerful military and the citizenry. Photo Credits: S@jj@ad; Maxi_Leo)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Beacons of hope & exemplars of the soul’s triumph

8/26/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post
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The pessimists in us are not happy about 15 Filipino athletes coming to the Beijing Olympic Games. They think it’s a waste of time, money and effort sending the delegation with a dismal chance of winning. Yet considering the support we have for sports, it’s a wonder that we have a contingent of brave competitors willing to sweat it out for the glory and edification of the country.

Like Laos, Kiribati, Uruguay, Myanmar, Liechtenstein, Yemen, Zambia, and many others, Philippines went home wanting of an Olympic medal. But for sure all these countries are richer in experience and hope. To be part of a world where cultural differences is transformed into a gesture of friendly competitiveness is an accomplishment by itself.

To be the best in the field isn't everything. By our participation in the games, we affirm the universal aspiration for excellence and our desire to connect with people. By cooperating with China’s hosting of a tantalizing “coming out” party which wowed the world, we bouy up cooperation and friendship among nations. We demonstrate that winning and losing are life-realities that all of us must contend with.

We salute the cash-strapped people of Zimbabwe whose hyperinflation and economic hardships didn’t deter their athletes to bring home 4 medals. We admire Malaysia and the small West African country of Togo which brought a silver and bronze respectively.

Turbulent Georgia, which nurses wounds from separatist South Ossetia and suffers border conflict with neighbor Russia, won 6 medals. Moslem Iran, threatening Israel and the world with its nuclear program basked in victory with two well-earned medals. Our southern Asian partner Indonesia celebrates success from 5 impressive wins, one of them gold in badminton.


Amidst the dominance and superiority of the United States with 110 medals (eclipsing China in total number but not in the count for gold,) the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain with barely a million people produced for the first time a gold medal winner in track in field. Jamaica, a Carribean country of 2.5 million brought home a spectacular win of 11 medals, 6 of them gold. War-torn Afghanistan with a population less than half of the Philippines, won a taekwondo bronze in the 17-day grueling competition.

With 85 million of us, how come we’re lagging behind these countries? How come winning an Olympic medal seems to be so unreal--- a pipe dream for us? The answer probably lies in our attitude, endurance, and value judgment. We need to trust ourselves more. We must support and appreciate the sportsmanship of our athletes. We must believe in our capacity to win, stirring us to fight as a team and as an individual for our own self-fulfillment and survival.

The aspiration of humanity to excel and be part of a cause greater than its own is part of the Olympic tradition. In a time when we doubt ourselves if we can go beyond what others expect of us, our athletes stand as beacons of hope and exemplars of our soul’s triumph. Even if our athletes didn’t win, in the field of dreams, their hearts shine as bright as the torch and the gold of the Olympics.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO OLYMPIC ATHLETES!

Eric Ang---Shooting; Ryan Paolo Arabejo---Swimming;
Daniel Coakley---Swimming; Henry Dagmil---Track & Field; Hidilyn Diaz----Weightlifting; Rexel Ryan Fabriga---Diving; Tshomlee Go---Taekwondo; Mark Javier---Archery; Miguel Molina---Swimming; Sheila Mae Perez---Diving; Mary Antoinette Rivero---Taekwondo;
Christel Simms---Swimming; Harry Tanamor---Boxing;
Marestella Torres---Track & Field; JB Walsh---Swimming. (PhotoCredits: AFP/NicolasAsfouri; Reuters/OlegPopov; Reuters/MikeBlake)=0=
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