2-Star Army General killed in Afghanistan (NYT Report)

2014-08-05T10:44:34-04:00

Not a lot of details known yet. I'll update as it comes through.

If this is confirmed, does it change your view on our actions and policy in Afghanistan?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/world/asia/afghanistan-attack.html?_r=0

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Response by CPT Dave Shephard made Aug 5 at 2014 10:58 AM

2014-08-05T10:58:25-04:00

Reading the article, green on blue incidents have been on the decline. But this is a huge deal. I'm very interested to see the response of our military and political leadership.

Response by Maj Ahron Oddman made Aug 5 at 2014 11:11 AM

2014-08-05T11:11:15-04:00

Every green on blue incident does nearly irreparable damage to an already tenuous relationship- U.S. security forces with Afghan National Army (ANA to include national police). This is frustrating and offensive, but no more offensive to me because of the pay grade of our fallen warrior. It will certainly get more press because of the pay grade, but quite honestly the American public is checked out of Afghanistan, if it were ever check in may be a different conversation.

Green on blue incidents however must NOT shake our resolve to put in place as well trained a force as constraints will allow. Those constraints are political in nature, but include limited time and money. We shouldn't accelerate or taper our withdrawal based on the cost of our efforts. That decision should remain a diplomatic / global political one. Using that lens, it seems as though we have strained diplomatic relations with the Afghan "leadership", so it's time to go. And go we are. (I use quotes for leadership because Karzai isn't the Afghan leader that counts, it is the Taliban leadership that we do and should have diplomatic relations with. Even if those relations are secretive and hostile.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 11:18 AM

2014-08-05T11:18:11-04:00

As a PSD PL in OEF 11-12, my platoon was involved in a Green on Blue incident, and then 2 days later another near Green on Blue "Mexican-standoff" type situation with guns drawn against a group of Afghan Police . Just 2 months earlier a counterpart of mine in a neighboring district was KIA in a similar GoB incident. Green on Blue attacks in Kandahar 2011/2012 snowballed quickly and caused a significant drain on combat power, resources and nerves in watching the allies you were mandated to bring with you on every single mission.

I can tell you there are few things in this world more frustrating and dangerous than balancing close protection/freedom of movement of your VIPs with the inherent distrust of our Afghan partners. Combine the possibility of a "sleeper-cell" type attack, a possible honor killing in which the Afghan had felt slighted/offended and must take revenge, along with the rampant drug use within so much of the ANSF, and there are so many possibilities as to how or why this attack occurred.

Rest in Peace to the fallen, and hopefully the offending parties have been dealt with accordingly.

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Aug 5 at 2014 12:39 PM

2014-08-05T12:39:59-04:00

How does this happen?

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 5 at 2014 12:41 PM

2014-08-05T12:41:39-04:00

I just noticed LTC Yinon Weiss asked almost the same question, i looked before asking but did not see this. could they be merged or mine deleted sir?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 1:32 PM

2014-08-05T13:32:35-04:00

Rest In Peace Sir, and I am also curious as to a response of any kind.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 2:42 PM

2014-08-05T14:42:36-04:00

Now it's important?

Response by LTC Ray B. (Ret) made Dec 7 at 2019 6:39 PM

2019-12-07T18:39:42-05:00

If we take a country we own it and should dominate