Mehdi Hasan

Mehdi Hasan’s polemical take on politics, economics and foreign affairs

Another official report says “things just getting worse” in Afghanistan

The other side of “Coin”.

By Mehdi Hasan Published 19 July 2010 12:35

We do not support the [counter-insurgency] perspective that this constitutes "things getting worse before they get better", but rather see it as being consistent with the five-year trend of things just getting worse.

That's the verdict of a report from the respected think tank the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office, which monitors trends in violence in Afghanistan on behalf of aid organisations, as reported in today's Guardian.

The ANSO report also reveals that June brought a record number of Taliban attacks -- up 51 per cent on the previous year to 1,319 operations. Meanwhile, despite Stanley McChrystal's "protect-the-population" counter-insurgency (or "Coin") motto, and the Coinistas' obsession with winning Afghan hearts and minds using not-so-original "population-centric" tactics, the number of civilians killed by both sides in this conflict rose by 23 per cent.

The response from our former man in Kabul, who now speaks on behalf of Nato? From the Guardian article:

On Saturday Mark Sedwill, Nato's ambassador in Kabul, said the increase in violence this year had always been expected and it was a sign that the coalition was "taking the fight to the Taliban".

I wonder if William Hague has clocked yet that his department is filled with fantastists.

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8 comments

Tue, 2010-07-20 09:02 — Daniel J. Lavigne (not verified)

Its time for EVERYONE to start "thinking". Such is the only way that the message for the masses as found at: http://www.taxrefusal.com AND http://www.StopYourEngines.com might help bring about needed change. Thank you.

Mon, 2010-07-19 13:08 — Roshan (not verified)

Yes, whenever the enemy starts killing you in larger numbers that really means you're winning!

Mon, 2010-07-19 13:17 — Jakx (not verified)

It's a real shame. Such a terrible waste of life. I'm frankly shocked that the government has put 2014 as a estimated withdrawal date. Good point Mehdi, well made.

Mon, 2010-07-19 13:24 — vanrisszcu

Roshan - indeed, it is like the Black Knight in the Monty Python movie..."it's just a head wound" !

Tue, 2010-07-20 22:37 — Martin L (not verified)

we are not losing Mehdi, and never will. Our losses are tragic but war produces casualties - dare i say it, but although every death is terrible, our losses are mercifully low.

The real problem is whilst we will never lose (by most definitions of the word), we will never win.

The trouble is, now that we are there, is it morally right to abandon the poor afghans to their fate? because the afghan government stands zero chance of keeping the taliban out.

however, there is a case for pulling out because of the poor response from other countries- apart from the US, the Uk and Canada, the other 'partners ' have made shameful, pathetic contributions.

what a mess we are in, and to pull out will mean hand the taliban a victory and worsen outcomes for much of the population.

Wed, 2010-07-21 23:08 — Romana (not verified)

Martin,
It really is quiet sad that we have lost such brave men and women in this so called war on terror. It's even more heartbreaking to know that while we are off liberating, the rest of the world just sits back and watches, us try winning a war that could never have been won, even with there great machinery, hence the rest of the world not taking a active role in the so called WAR on TERROR.

Fri, 2010-07-30 18:20 — alex (not verified)

the problem that I have got with your stance on Afghanistan is that you, and the NS generally, has never explained how you think the future will shape up once ISAF have left. Could please, just once, tell the readers how Afghanistan will enjoy a brighter future by only removing one side of the conflict and leaving the other in place... I may well be wrong in my assessment that it would lead to an almost immediate Taliban victory in Afghanistan, and I would [really I would] be interested in hearing counter arguments, but so far Mehdi you have only said that ISAF should get out, not what would happen afterwards...
well?

Fri, 2010-07-30 18:39 — swatantra (not verified)

One scenario is that it'll be a repeat of the Fall of Saigon. When the Allied Forces, having set the deadline to withdraw, move out and the Taliban/Al Quaeda move in and take Kabul. Its not what I want to see, but that is the most likely conclusion. Ten plus years for what?