Word: afghanistan
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...trauma suffered by the men and women in our armed forces. Major Nidal Hasan, the latest culprit, would have known this better than anyone, having devoted his life to treating soldiers afflicted with PTSD, an alarmingly prevalent condition in the wake of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That a mental-health specialist would commit such an atrocious act of malice reflects the severity of this mental condition...
Many of the outposts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have few troops. In an October attack on one outpost defended by 48 Americans and half as many Afghan soldiers, insurgent forces outnumbered those troops three to one. The American and Afghan forces were only able to defend themselves thanks to the technological superiority of their weaponry and support, as air strikes and helicopters were rushed to defend the outpost. The attack highlighted the strategic issue of spreading forces dangerously thin. The incoming troops Obama must make available should give more priority to these border outposts, ensuring that such skin...
...recent victory by Afghanistan and international troops in northern Afghanistan provides further reason to take heart. A large force of Afghan troops and 50 international soldiers engaged Taliban forces in Chahar Dara district of Kunduz province and killed over 100 Taliban fighters, including eight commanders. With Afghanistan forces making progress in successfully confronting insurgents, the addition of American troops will help train and support other Afghan-led operations. With the combination of more Afghan and American troops, the ability for troops to secure vital areas will increase. In addition, the Afghan troop progress in engaging insurgents is heartening...
Those opposing the troop increase often cite the recent questionable election in Afghanistan as a reason why more troops should not be sent. They feel that the additional troops will alienate the Afghan people when Afghans are concerned by possible fraud in the election. The success of democracy in Afghanistan is without a doubt part of the American mission in the country; however, the goal of isolating and destroying insurgents should be separated from election objectives. It is logical to send in troops to fight insurgents even as the Afghan people resolve their election crisis...
...achievable. The troop reinforcements will aid both aims by helping to provide security for the Afghan people and taking the fight to the insurgents. The American people can rest assured that the additional troops Obama must send in will undoubtedly be beneficial to U.S. missions in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan is one that can and will be won, if the Obama administration makes the right call on troop levels...