US to harness Afghan militias against Taliban

[CHIMO]

The US yesterday outlined a controversial plan to organize local militias in Afghanistan to contain the growing strength of the Taliban, echoing tactics used by American commanders in Iraq.

The programme is formally an Afghan government project with UN and US backing, but much of the impetus is believed to have come from US military commanders hoping to replicate the Sons of Iraq militias - American-backed Sunni groups which have helped combat al-Qaida and Iraqi insurgents. The architect of that initiative, General David Petraeus, is now head of Central Command, and running the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Community Guard programme will be launched as a pilot project in southern and eastern Afghanistan. The US envoy, William Wood, said the programme was intended "to strengthen local communities and local tribes in their ability to protect what they consider to be their traditional homes".

Gordon Brown proposed a similar scheme a year ago, based on a traditional form of tribal militias, or arbakai, but it was criticised at the time by an American commander in Afghanistan as detracting from the work of the national police force.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/31/afghanistan-us-foreign-policy

What a bloody waste. After seven years we are back where we were. So much for all the hoopala and spent money.
What a waste of lives of all.

Wonder how long it will take for the religious nationalists to take over again.

The more things change...

[Bragi]

1. Yep, it's a waste for sure

I think Obama's plan to escalate this war will be seen as a major foreign policy mistake.

With the US coming in to shoot up the place and arm the locals, I'm all for bringing the troops home now, or at minimum, withdrawing to the Kandahar air base, and doing as little damage as possible until we leave as scheduled.

No good will come from this conflict.