U.S. Retreats in Afghanistan

[Being]

History repeating?

Retreating from Pech Valley, Nuristan Province, and Korangal Valley

Sounds like the same move the Soviets made in 1988. Do we have any more a chance at winning than the Soviets had?

[wiggin]

This has been in the works for a while, mostly to a US revision of Afghan counterinsurgency strategy. I would hardly call it a 'retreat' when in fact the units are just being retasked to more important regions.

I don't know whether the new strategy is the right one, but I have to give the US military credit for showing an unusual degree of flexibility in changing both strategy and tactic over the course of both wars.

[Being]

This has been in the works for a while, mostly to a US revision of Afghan counterinsurgency strategy. I would hardly call it a 'retreat' when in fact the units are just being retasked to more important regions.

I don't know whether the new strategy is the right one, but I have to give the US military credit for showing an unusual degree of flexibility in changing both strategy and tactic over the course of both wars.

Pech Valley is recent. I included the others to show its not limited to a small area of concern. And don't you see how this mimics the Soviet strategy? Also, there is great concern about the civilans in those regions who are now at risk because of siding with the coalition. Sure, their lives are in danger but more important is that their deaths would send an ominous message to others who might like to support us.

[wiggin]

Please, the Soviet 'strategy' was entirely divorced from US counterinsurgency doctrine. A chance similarity in some troop movements does not a congruency meet. Don't insult my intelligence.

I agree there are concerns about the civilians left behind; I can only help the ANA isn't as incompetent as they seem.