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Fighting the Taliban with cell phones
A radical new plan is being considered by the UK government to counter growing Taleban propaganda in Afghanistan, the BBC has learned.
The programme involves using new media like mobile phones and the internet to empower ordinary Afghans to contradict the prevailing Taleban message.
Non-governmental organisations would distribute mobile phones to Afghans so they can make their own video diaries.
Anti-Western films already circulate on Afghanistan's estimated 6m mobiles.
These films are also distributed among the country's half a million internet users.
The plan, devised by an outside consultant and said by the Foreign Office to "have merit," envisages having up to 100 short films made by Afghans ready in time for a film festival next summer.
Whitehall officials say the aim is to deprive the Taleban of its virtual monopoly on propaganda using new media.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said there is a growing realisation in Whitehall and Washington that the US-led coalition has been losing the propaganda war in Afghanistan to the Taleban.
The coalition's reputation was particularly damaged by the recent distribution of mobile phone footage showing the bodies of dozens of Afghan civilians killed in a US-led raid in August, our correspondent added.
-They're willing to give poor Afghans mobile phones while there is still a food shortage over there. This isn't exactly the way to win the war of "hearts and minds." A radical new plan is being considered by the UK government to counter growing Taleban propaganda in Afghanistan, the BBC has learned.... more -
School on Fire in Pakistan
Some unknown miscreants on Friday set ablaze a boys’ school in Tehsil Kabbal of Swat.
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Time to face facts In Afghanistan
By Eric Margolis
For those who savor historical irony, the Soviet Empire collapsed in the years 1989-1991 because of an implosion of its economy brought on by a ruinous arms race with the United States and the heavy costs of occupying Afghanistan.
Seventeen years later came the turn of the world’s other great imperial power, the United States. Lethally bloated by runaway debt, and burdened by 50% of the world’s military spending, the house of cards known as the US economy finally collapsed.
The doomsday news from New York and Washington has obscured most other world affairs. This is unfortunate because for the first time there is a flicker – and I mean only a flicker – of light at the end of the Afghanistan tunnel. It may only be an oncoming truck bomb.
The US-installed Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, revealed last week he had asked Saudi Arabia to broker peace talks with the alliance of tribal and political groups resisting Western occupation collectively known as Taliban. Saudi Arabia had been one of the few nations to recognize the Taliban government and retains considerable influence in Afghanistan and remains a loyal friend of Pakistan.
Taliban leader Mullah Omar quickly rejected Karzai’s offer, and claimed the US was heading toward the same kind of catastrophic defeat in Afghanistan that the Soviet Union had met. The ongoing financial panic in North America lent substance to his words.
The US economy is in grave peril and its big three automakers may soon face bankruptcy. In a crazy sidebar, as Wall Street and the Us banking system faced meltdown, the insouciant Pentagon just announced it would spend $300 million with American `contractors’ to spread pro-US propaganda in Iraq. This remarkable idiocy notwithstanding, Washington could soon run out of money necessary to keep paying for operations in Iraq, and bribing Pakistan with $250-300 million a month to wage war against its own rebellious Pashtun tribes people along the Afghanistan border.
The able and forthright US commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernan, urgently called for at least 10,000 more troops. US and NATO forces in Afghanistan are increasingly on the defensive, hard pressed to defend vulnerable supply lines in spite of massive fire power and total control of the air.
Attacks on US and NATO convoys are even beginning at the port of Karachi. The prospect of the US spreading a war it can’t win in Afghanistan into Pakistan is military and political madness.
Startlingly, Gen. McKiernan appeared to break with Bush administration policy by proposing political talks with Taliban and admitting the war had to be ended by diplomacy. The military men know this war cannot be won on the battlefield. McKiernan’s predecessor told Congress that 400,000 US troops would be needed to pacify Afghanistan. There are currently 80,000 western troops in Afghanistan, many of them unwilling to enter combat.
(more below) By Eric Margolis ... more -
Taliban Position Bombed in SWAT
Security forces attacked the suspected positions of local militants in various parts of Swat.
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US to appeal for more Nato troops in Afghanistan
(WTF is this image doing on the internet? ARE they baiting them or what?)
Budapest: The United States will on Thursday appeal to Nato allies to send more troops to fight Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, despite the prospect of spending cuts because of the global financial crisis.
Defence ministers of the 26-nation alliance hold a two-day meeting in Budapest against a backdrop of a rise in violence in Afghanistan even though there has been a big increase in the size of the Nato-led international force in the past two years.
Commanders of the 50,700-strong force are seeking up to 12,000 more troops, but Washington's European allies have been reluctant to commit additional numbers.
NATO is also seeking to plug shortfalls in equipment such as helicopters and to resolve differences among member countries over U.S. calls for a more aggressive fight against the drugs trade that fuels the Taliban insurgency.
On Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet agreed to allow for a boosting of German troop numbers in Afghanistan by 1,000 to up to 4,500. But Berlin has resisted Washington's calls to station troops in the insurgent-troubled south.
Washington has urged countries in southeastern Europe, including aspiring Nato members, to send more troops.
The United States plans to increase its troop strength in Afghanistan from the present 33,000, which include 13,000 under NATO command, but U.S. officials are concerned allies will see this as an excuse not to meet pledges.
"I want to make sure that everybody understands that the increases in US forces are not seen as replacements for Nato contributions. They're reinforcement," US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters.
Comment about image above... WTF is this doing on the Internet? Shouldn't' some things be secret? (WTF is this image doing on the internet? ARE they baiting them or what?) ... more -
Pakistan's future tied to the oval office
Dr. Tariq Amin-Khan: Will Obama or McCain represent a new policy toward Pakistan? Part 5
The US military has increased the frequency of drone attacks inside Pakistani territory, resulting in high numbers of civilian casualties. Though Obama was the first to call for these kinds of operations within Pakistani borders, Dr. Amin-Khan believes that Obama is more likely to change this failed policy than is McCain. Obama provides the potential for a broader approach to easing tensions in the region than the military-only approach, embraced by Bush and McCain, that has only made things worse. Identifying the lack of economic development as the greatest source of the conflict, Dr. Amin-Khan believes that the only US policy which can realistically improve the situation in Pakistan is a new Marshall Plan.
Tariq Amin-Khan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University. In addition to a PhD in Social and Political Thought from York University in Toronto, he holds a Master’s degree in South Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. The title of his doctoral thesis is Theorizing the Post-Colonial State in the Era of Capitalist Globalism.
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89339338_pakistan_on_the_brink
See Part 2 at: http://current.com/items/89351852_is_pakistan_s_zardari...
See Part 3 at: http://current.com/items/89361227_global_meltdown_pakis...
See Part 4 at: http://current.com/items/89373446_what_do_the_taliban_w... Dr. Tariq Amin-Khan: Will Obama or McCain represent a new policy toward Pakistan? Part 5 ... more -
The Taliban: News & Videos about The Taliban - CNN.com
An airstrike by Pakistani fighter jets killed more than 30 Taliban fighters, including one believed to be a high-ranking commander, a government spokesman said Saturday. An airstrike by Pakistani fighter jets killed more than 30 Taliban fighters, including one believed to be a high-ranking commander, a ... more
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Furor over pics of Taliban in dead soldiers' kit - CNN.com
Furor over pics of Taliban in dead soldiers' kit
Story Highlights
Photos of Taliban in the uniforms of dead French soldiers provokes outrage
Magazine Paris Match features photos of Taliban and their commander
10 French troops were killed and a further 21 injured in an ambush Furor over pics of Taliban in dead soldiers' kit Story Highlights ... more -
British army officer says U.S. can't win in Afghanistan
Some blunt remarks by a senior British army officer have again raised the issue of divergent views among North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies about the mission in Afghanistan. Some blunt remarks by a senior British army officer have again raised the issue of divergent views among North Atlantic Treaty Organis... more
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Taliban split with al Qaeda
Taliban leaders are holding Saudi-brokered talks with the Afghan government to end the country's bloody conflict -- and are severing their ties with al Qaeda, sources close to the historic discussions have told CNN.
King Abdullah of Saudia Arabia hosted meetings between the Afghan government and the Taliban, a source says.
King Abdullah of Saudia Arabia hosted meetings between the Afghan government and the Taliban, a source says.
The militia, which has been intensifying its attacks on the U.S.-led coalition that toppled it from power in 2001 for harboring Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, has been involved four days of talks hosted by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, says the source.
The talks -- the first of their kind aimed at resolving the lengthy conflict in Afghanistan -- mark a significant move by the Saudi leadership to take a direct role in Afghanistan, hosting delegates who have until recently been their enemies. Taliban leaders are holding Saudi-brokered talks with the Afghan government to end the country's bloody conflict -- and are sever... more -
In slip up, Palin calls Afghanistan “our neighboring country”
SAN FRANCISCO - Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin called Afghanistan “our neighboring country” on Sunday in a speech that could revive questions over her tendency to stumble into linguistic knots.
Three days after a mostly gaffe-free debate performance, the Alaska governor fumbled during a speech in which she praised U.S. soldiers for “fighting terrorism and protecting us and our democratic values”.
“They are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan,” she told several hundred supporters at a fundraising event in San Francisco.
The gaffe could add fuel to comedians and late-night talk show hosts who have seized on her linguistic infelicities to portray her as someone not to be taken seriously.
Later in a speech in Omaha, Neb., Palin poked a little fun at herself when talking about one comedian in particular — actress Tina Fey whose dead-on impression of Palin’s looks, voice and body language has been a hit.
Fey, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Palin, has parodied her as a rambling, perky politician unfamiliar with world issues for three straight weeks on the comedy show “Saturday Night Live”.
“I was just trying to give Tina Fey more material — job security for Saturday Night Live,” Palin said.
The skits have become a sensation since an awkward interview with CBS News anchor Katie Couric in which Palin failed to coherently express her views about Russia, the U.S. government’s $700 billion financial bailout package, and the newspapers or magazines she reads.
In recent days, the 44-year-old self-described “hockey mom” has described the Couric interview as “less than successful”, and apologized to crowds of supporters for her shaky performance, saying she was “annoyed” and “impatient” because she wanted to talk about other issues like energy independence.
Palin’s opponent, Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, has also committed high-profile gaffes, including claiming in a recent interview that President Franklin D. Roosevelt calmed fears in a TV address at the beginning of the Great Depression. There was no TV in 1929 — Roosevelt wasn’t president at the time. SAN FRANCISCO - Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin called Afghanistan “our neighboring country” on Sunday in a speech th... more -
Ant & Dec In Rocket/Comedian Attack
TV duo Ant & Dec have been under fire recently - with rockets from the Taliban and legal threats from another Ant in the US.
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Talks between Afghan govt, Taliban held in Saudi Arabia
US media reports revealed on Monday that secret peace talks were held between Afghan government and Taliban in Saudi Kingdom.
Both sides agreed to resolve Afghan issue through dialogues, report said. US media reports revealed on Monday that secret peace talks were held between Afghan government and Taliban in Saudi Kingdom. ... more -
Afghan war cannot be won
Commander of the British 16th Air Assault Brigade Mark Carleton-Smith admits that the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) is unable to “achieve a decisive victory”. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr. Carleton-Smith warned the British society against over expectations in terms of the successful outcome of the ISAF campaign. The British ISAF contingent is comprised of 7800 men. Commander of the British 16th Air Assault Brigade Mark Carleton-Smith admits that the International Security Assistance Force in Afgha... more
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Saudi hosts Afghan peace talks with Taliban
LONDON, England (CNN) -- In a groundbreaking meeting, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia recently hosted talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban militant group, according to a source familiar with the talks.
The historic four-day meeting took place during the last week of September in the Saudi city of Mecca, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations.
King Abdullah broke fast during the Eid al-Fitr holiday with the 17-member Afghan delegation -- an act intended to show his commitment to ending the conflict.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.
Taliban leader Mullah Omar was not present, the source said.
It marks a significant departure by the Saudi leadership to take a direct role in Afghanistan, hosting some delegates who have until recently been their enemies.
In the past, Saudi Arabia has generally dealt with Afghanistan through Pakistan.
The desert kingdom's current foray marks a significant shift and appears to recognize the political weakness of Pakistan and the need to stem the growth of al Qaeda.
The current round of talks is anticipated to be a first step in a long process. According to the source close to the talks, it has taken two years of behind-the-scenes meetings to get to this point. LONDON, England (CNN) -- In a groundbreaking meeting, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia recently hosted talks between the Afghan governmen... more -
Will a new US President mean a new foreign policy?
Gareth Porter: McCain subscribes to extreme neo-con ideas, but Obama is not a break with the past. Part 5
In George W. Bush's final speech to the UN as head of state, he provided a series of reasons to view his administration's policies as having succeeded in conducting a global war on terrorism. Despite his regime's demonstrated aversion to multilateralism, Bush called on the UN and all international institutions to take a lead role in the War on Terror in the future. Investigative reporter and historian Gareth Porter tells Senior Editor Paul Jay why he believes that while Obama and McCain represent different visions of US foreign policy, neither truly represent a clean break from the legacy created by the Bush administration.
Gareth Porter is a historian and investigative journalist on US foreign and military policy analyst. He writes regularly for Inter Press Service on US policy towards Iraq and Iran. Author of four books, the latest of which is Perils of Dominance: Imbalance of Power and the Road to War in Vietnam.
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89336287_bush_doctrine_at_the_...
See Part 2 at: http://current.com/items/89339379_the_state_of_the_empi...
See Part 3 at: http://current.com/items/89351820_provoking_russian_nat...
See Part 4 at: http://current.com/items/89361295_war_and_cash_for_tras... Gareth Porter: McCain subscribes to extreme neo-con ideas, but Obama is not a break with the past. Part 5 ... more -
What do the Taliban want in Pakistan?
Dr. Tariq Amin-Khan: Taliban seek to gain popular support by inciting Pakistani military. Part 4
The US military has increased the frequency of drone attacks inside Pakistani territory, resulting in high numbers of civilian casualties. Furthermore, they have been accused of conducting special operation missions within Pakistan, the Pakistani military even stating that they fired warning shots at a US helicopter found flying inside the border. The US denies this claim. Dr. Amin-Khan discusses how neither the US nor the Pakistani government can hope for success in defeating the Taliban through military action alone.
Tariq Amin-Khan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University. In addition to a PhD in Social and Political Thought from York University in Toronto, he holds a Master’s degree in South Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. The title of his doctoral thesis is Theorizing the Post-Colonial State in the Era of Capitalist Globalism.
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89339338_pakistan_on_the_brink
See Part 2 at: http://current.com/items/89351852_is_pakistan_s_zardari...
See Part 3 at: http://current.com/items/89361227_global_meltdown_pakis...
See Part 5 at: http://current.com/items/89382601_pakistan_s_future_tie... Dr. Tariq Amin-Khan: Taliban seek to gain popular support by inciting Pakistani military. Part 4 ... more -
British Commander: War in Afghanistan Cannot be Won.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's commander in Afghanistan has said the war against the Taliban cannot be won, the Sunday Times reported.
It quoted Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith as saying in an interview that if the Taliban were willing to talk, then that might be "precisely the sort of progress" needed to end the insurgency.
"We're not going to win this war. It's about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army," he said.
He said his forces had "taken the sting out of the Taliban for 2008" but that troops may well leave Afghanistan with there still being a low level of insurgency.
But Afghanistan's Defense Minister expressed his disappointment on Sunday at the commander's statements, maintaining the insurgency had to be defeated.
"I think this is the personal opinion of that commander," Abdul Rahim Wardak told reporters.
"The main objective of the Afghan government and the whole international community is that we have to defeat this war of terror and be successful," he said.
Wardak said success also depended on how British forces were approaching the problems they faced in Helmand but did not say whether their current strategy was the right one.
Asked if the commander's comments came as a disappointment, Wardak said: "Yes, it is disappointing, for sure."
Britain has around 8,000 troops based in Afghanistan, most of them in the volatile southern province of Helmand, where they face daily battles with a growing insurgency.
NO NEGOTIATIONS WITH "INVADERS"
NATO commanders and diplomats have been saying for some time that the Taliban insurgency cannot be defeated by military means alone and that negotiations with the militants will ultimately be needed to bring an end to the conflict.
"If the Taliban were prepared to sit on the other side of the table and talk about a political settlement, then that's precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this," Carleton-Smith said. "That shouldn't make people uncomfortable."
But a spokesman for the Taliban said on Sunday there would be no negotiations with foreigners and repeated calls made by Taliban commanders for the unconditional withdrawal of the more than 70,000 international troops from Afghanistan.
"They should know that Taliban will never hold talks with the invaders," Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf told the Pakistan-based Afghan news agency, AIP.
"What we had said in the past, we also say once again, that foreign forces should leave without any condition," he said.
Violence in Afghanistan has increased to its worst level since 2001, when U.S.-led and Afghan forces overthrew the ruling Taliban following the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said last week he had asked the king of Saudi Arabia to mediate in talks with the insurgents and called on Taliban leader Mullah Omar to return to his homeland and to make peace. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's commander in Afghanistan has said the war against the Taliban cannot be won, the Sunday Times report... more -
British Commander says war in Afghanistan cannot be won
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith said in an interview that talking with the Taliban might be "precisely the sort of progress" needed to end the insurgency.
"We're not going to win this war. It's about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army," he said.
Afghanistan's Defense Minister quickly moved to downplay the commander's statements, "I think this is the personal opinion of that commander," Abdul Rahim Wardak told reporters.
Shouldn't we be listening to what our commanders are telling us rather than allowing politicians to be armchair pundits? Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith said in an interview that talking with the Taliban might be "precisely the sort of progress" n... more -
Conflict in Pakistan
Beena Sarwar: Over the last few years the agenda of local militants and the Taliban have converged.
A suicide bomber blew himself up near the house of politician Wali Khan, the Chief of the Awami National Party in Pakistan's north west province. At least four people were killed. Journalist Beena Sarwar states that "over the last few years the agenda of local militants and the Taliban have converged."
Beena Sarwar is a journalist in Pakistan, former Editor 'The News on Sunday' and Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. She is currently based in Karachi. Beena Sarwar: Over the last few years the agenda of local militants and the Taliban have converged. ... more
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