InfoAnda - US presence in Afghanistan as long as Soviet slog

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pakistani rupee eases vs dollar; stocks edge higher | 26 March 2010
White House says no reset button for Obama | 25 January 2010
Bomb near US embassy in Afghan capital kills four: police | 26 November 2008

Harry Potter author JK Rowling writing adult novel | | 24 February 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : US presence in Afghanistan as long as Soviet slog

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America US presence in Afghanistan as long as Soviet slog By PATRICK QUINN,Associated Press - Friday, November 26 Send IM Story Print KABUL, Afghanistan – The Soviet Union couldn't win in Afghanistan, and now the United States is about to have something in common with that futile campaign: nine years, 50 days. On Friday, the U.S.-led coalition will have been fighting in this South Asian country for as long as the Soviets did in their humbling attempt to build up a socialist state. The two invasions had different goals _ and dramatically different body counts _ but whether they have significantly different outcomes remains to be seen. What started out as a quick war on Oct. 7, 2001, by the U.S. and its allies to wipe out al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and the Taliban has instead turned into a long and slogging campaign. Now about 100,000 NATO troops are fighting a burgeoning insurgency while trying to support and cultivate a nascent democracy. A Pentagon-led assessment released earlier this week described the progress made since the United States injected 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan earlier this year as fragile. The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, has said NATO's core objective is to ensure that Afghanistan "is never again a sanctuary to al-Qaida or other transnational extremists that it was prior to 9/11." He said the only way to achieve that goal is "to help Afghanistan develop the ability to secure and govern itself. Now not to the levels of Switzerland in 10 years or less, but to a level that is good enough for Afghanistan." To reach that, there is an ongoing effort to get the Taliban to the negotiating table. President Hamid Karzai has set up a committee to try to make peace, and the military hopes its campaign will help force the insurgents to seek a deal. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on Dec. 27, 1979, its stated goal was to transform Afghanistan into a modern socialist state. The Soviets sought to prop up a communist regime that was facing a popular uprising, but left largely defeated on Feb. 15, 1989. In 1992, the pro-Moscow government of Mohammad Najibullah collapsed and U.S.-backed rebels took power. The Taliban eventually seized Kabul after a violent civil war that killed thousands more. It ruled with a strict interpretation of Islamic law until it was ousted by the U.S.-led invasion. Nader Nadery, an Afghan analyst who has studied the Soviet and U.S. invasions, said "the time may be the same" for the two conflicts, "but conditions are not similar." More than a million civilians died as Soviet forces propping up the government of Babrak Karmal waged a massive war against anti-communist mujahedeen forces. "There was indiscriminate mass bombardment of villages for the eviction of mujahedeen," Nadery said. "Civilian casualties are not at all comparable." Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank and Afghanistan expert, said NATO forces have killed fewer than 10,000 civilians and a comparable number of insurgents. The allied military presence has also been far smaller and more targeted. Even now, nearly all operations are restricted to the south and east of the country where the insurgency is most active. O'Hanlon points out that at the height of the resistance, there were 250,000 mujahedeen representing all Afghan ethnic groups fighting the Soviets, while "the current insurgency is perhaps one-eighth as large and is only Pashtun." "We do have big problems. But there is no comparison between this war and what the Soviets wrought," he said. "The Soviet war set Afghanistan back dramatically from what had been a weak but functioning state. NATO has, by contrast, helped Afghanistan to a 10 percent annual economic growth rate, 7 million kids are now in school, and most people have access to basic health care within a two-hour walk," O'Hanlon said. He also points out that although Karzai was hand-picked by the United States after the invasion "he has since been elected twice by his own people." The United States and its allies, however, have made strategic mistakes, including taking their eyes off Afghanistan and shifting their attention to the war in Iraq. In those crucial years, the Taliban and their allies surged back and took control of many parts of the Afghan countryside and some regions in the south _ especially parts of Kandahar and Helmand. Wadir Safi, a professor at Kabul University who served as civil aviation minister under the Najibullah government, said risks surround the U.S. effort because "the Americans never reached the goal for which they came." "If they don't change their policy, if they don't reach their goals, if they don't reach agreement with the armed opposition and with the government, then it is not a far time that the Afghan people will be fed up with the presence of these foreign forces," Safi said. The United States has pledged that its commitment to Afghanistan will run past the 2014 date when NATO forces are supposed to transition to a noncombat role. A Russian analyst said the Soviet Union tried to do something similar when it left Afghanistan. It backed Najibullah with money and weapons, and left behind a trained and heavily armed Afghan military. But it all crumbled and the mujahedeen took over Kabul in 1992. Najibullah stayed in the city's U.N. compound until Kabul fell to the Taliban in 1996, and he was hung from the main square. "The Soviet Union tried to leave its protege alone to run the country, but that ended in the Taliban victory," said Alexander Konovalov, the head of the Moscow-based Institute of Strategic Assessment, an independent think-tank. "The U.S. now wants to create a self-sufficient structure behind backed by some support forces," he said. "It remains to be seen how successful it could be in Afghanistan." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles UK-World Summary Reuters - 26 minutes ago Myanmar blocks airline linked to ethnic militia Reuters - 27 minutes ago U.S. briefs allies on new documents leak - WikiLeaks Reuters - 2 hours 11 minutes ago Police crackdown in Rio slum ejects drug gangs AFP - 2 hours 56 minutes ago U.N. warns Ivorian candidates against victory claims Reuters - Friday, November 26 News Search Top Stories 600,000 die each year from passive smoking: study Irish bailout talks accelerate as PM faces new setback Europe bans baby bottles with Bisphenol-A Merkel seeks to soothe markets on eurozone Wealthy Americans say: 'Tax us' to ease deficit' More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended US, S.Korea plan war games after N.Korean attack Toyota still in 'crisis' one year after recalls New AIDS cases fall by one fifth in a decade: UN Wealthy Americans say: 'Tax us' to ease deficit' Many cancers detected late in US: study More Most Viewed » 'Naked' airport scanners may be 'dangerous' EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel Pilgrims stone 'devil' as Muslims celebrate Eid World leaders scramble for funds to save the tiger US, S.Korea plan war games after N.Korean attack More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 26 November 2010
Afghan prosecutor summons vote officials over fraud
Merkel seeks to soothe markets on eurozone
US-TECH Summary
Russia plans more foreign naval bases
Brazil Marines join slum battles, 30 people killed |
Wealthy Americans say: 'Tax us' to ease deficit'
Afghanistan arrests 2 election workers
Putin, Merkel trade barbs ahead of talks in Germany |
Chevy Volt tops Prius in fuel economy rating
British students clash with police at second fees protest
U.N. warns Ivorian candidates against victory claims |
Fuel Tank Cracks Delay Final Shuttle Launch To Dec. 17
Oakley Capital buys into Time Out for online growth
First Family To Put On Spread For T-Day
Haiti heads for elections, police keep marches apart |
Many Cancers Still Being Found Too Late
Afghan settlement would leave no room for al Qaeda-Pakistan |
Epilepsy Drugs Safe For Breast Feeding Moms
Obama Anticipates Political Struggles After Thanksgiving
Search for Air France crash black box revived |
Elderly Vet Charged With Threatening Obama
Italian students storm Tower of Pisa, Colosseum |
Poll: Rahm Emanuel Leads Crowded Chicago Mayor Race
Adrien Brody Wins Legal Battle Against Film's Producers
Search For Missing Dance Student Continues In Syracuse
Poorest countries stuck in boom/bust cycle: U.N. |
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay Convicted Of Money Laundering
Fans mark 40 years since far-right Japanese author's suicide
Cambodia holds day of mourning for stampede dead
South Korea defence minister quits after attack
Hong Kong Picasso sale aims to tap China demand
Shanghai suffers 'poor air quality' as Expo ends
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jamal flops as Pakistan win Asiad hockey title
Billy Joel recovering from double hip replacement
Second Indian 'child sacrifice' murder claim
Warner Bros. trademarks "Quidditch" lingerie
Presenter Ross joins forces with Big Brother team
Indonesia selects new anti-corruption chief
Chevy Volt tops Prius in fuel economy rating |
Disney animators faced knotty problem with 'Tangled'
Afghan and Pakistan agree on coordinated anti-drug raids
Billy Joel recovering from double hip replacement |
British intelligence promoted Taliban impostor: report
Turkey stresses commitment to normalising ties with Armenia
Openness to virtual operators key in 4G mobile: France
North Korea says U.S.-South Korea exercises bring war closer |
Maliki named Iraq PM for second term, urges unity
600,000 die each year from passive smoking: study
Irish bailout talks accelerate as PM faces new setback
Egypt detains 156 protestors over church riots
Europe bans baby bottles with Bisphenol-A
Teenage boys survive 50 days adrift in South Pacific |
U.N. warns Ivorian candidates against victory claims |
Election flap heats up in Afghanistan
India to widen probe into bribery scandal: report |
US presence in Afghanistan as long as Soviet slog
Australia's Gillard ends troubled year on a high |
India marks two years since the Mumbai attacks
Worst of times, best of times: tale of two Irelands |
U.S. briefs allies on new documents leak
Teenagers adrift in Pacific for 50 days reach land
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
In gaffe, Palin supports 'our North Korean allies'
Kanye West, Kung Fu Panda to star at NYC parade
Dutch prostitutes learn new tricks
Storms, not airport security, slow holiday travel
Frenchwomen protest violence by wearing skirts
Seoul shares fall; caution before military drill
Jewish rapper Shyne takes Orthodox path back to stardom
Sanctions-hit Fiji hikes consumer tax to repay debt
Japan's frilly 'maids' go grey
17th century shipwreck found in Sweden
New Australia phone app aims to fight skin cancer |
S.Korean won down 2.2 pct for wk on N.Korea worries
Bailed-out Bank of Ireland flogs off art collection
Pakistani c.bank sells 25 bln rupees of t-bills
Pakistan
Petronas Chemicals raises $4.1 bln in IPO
Japan consumer prices slide further
S.Korea bonds gain on smaller Dec issuance plan
Japan's October core consumer prices fall 0.6 percent
Seoul shares open up as techs, shipyards gain
New Australia phone app aims to fight skin cancer
EU says not pressing Portugal to take bail out
Voters hammer Irish government |
Spain's Zapatero 'absolutely' rules out bailout
Spain, Portugal fight fear of Irish contagion
Collahuasi mine strikers set to shun latest offer |
Portugal: under no eurozone pressure for financial aid
U.S. Calls India “Great Partner,” “Natural” Ally In Defense Matters
Fed-Ex Searching For Missing Radioactive Package
Whole Foods Announces Cheese Recall
Consortium Buys Pet Food Giant For $4 Billion
Study: Jet Lag May Lead To Memory Problems
Disappearance Of Dance Student Marks First Week
U.S. Mulls Changes On Color-Coded Terror Alert System
US warns Israel of WikiLeaks release
India agency probing other insurers in bribery scandal: source |
Georgia Teens Murdered On Thanksgiving
U.S. Adds Islamic Charity To Terror Black List Over Its Links To LeT
Kenya seeks sites for nuclear power plant |
Second Christian dies of wounds after Egypt riots |
Pope Benedict to visit Benin in 2011 |
Asiad best for China as Bangladesh win cricket
Impostor deepens confusion over Afghan peace talks |
India flays Pakistan on Mumbai attacks anniversary
India probes 21 companies in bribes-for-loans scandal
Nigeria court sacks state governor in blow to PDP |
N.Korea stages artillery drill, warns of war
Indonesia's GDP will hit $1 trillion in 2014: Govt
Black Eyed Peas to play coveted Super Bowl slot
Q+A-Pakistan's central bank grapples with inflation, low growth
Malaysian opposition faces crunch time in party congress
Author Murakami took four years to agree to film
Taiwan c.bank to strengthen fund flow monitoring
Cambodia to hold festival next year despite stampede
Boy's toys the new frontier for erotica industry
Australian cricketers fight back in Ashes opener
Korean pop star Rain to sing at closing ceremony
Cambodia to boost rice spending, eyes 7 pct 2011 growth
Murakami took 4 years to approve 'Norwegian Wood'
Spice up English, with Chinese
Armani taps Chinese market with online store
Director: Murakami took 4 years to approve movie
Smartphones, Twitter top Japan hit product survey |
Toyota suffers second straight output fall in October
Pirate Bay activists lose court appeal in Sweden |
Indian police widen real estate bribery probe
Sony to return to Japan e-reader market in December |
Investigators: Unlicensed Hospital Lett Swedish Woman In Coma After Botched Surgery
First Family To Put On Spread For T-Day
Black Eyed Peas to play coveted Super Bowl slot |
Norwegian Wood director Tran cuts through language barrier |
Auction houses eye Russian recovery ahead of sales |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01