Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
NBC
September 11, 2008
NBC Nightly News, 7:00 PM
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Less than four weeks from now, this country will mark another seventh anniversary, the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, targeting the Taliban and the perpetrators of 9/11, al-Qaeda. Seven years, 588 American lives later, how is that effort going? Our report from our Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski.
JIM MIKLASZEWSKI: Nearly seven years after the US drove the Taliban and al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan and supposedly won that war, the fight has now turned more deadly than ever. For the first time, the number of American and coalition troops killed in Afghanistan is substantially higher than those killed in Iraq. And this year is on track to become the deadliest for American forces. Top US commanders in Afghanistan want three more combat brigades, more than 10,000 troops to combat the threat. And Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen warned Congress yesterday the US in Afghanistan is running out of time.
ADM. MIKE MULLEN [Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff]: I'm not convinced we're winning it in Afghanistan.
MIKLASZEWSKI: The reason, a resurgent Taliban has not only increased in numbers, but in recent attacks has used more sophisticated and deadly battle tactics, killing nine Americans in one assault, 10 French forces in another. US military officials tell NBC News the Taliban and al-Qaeda are receiving advanced military training from foreign fighters, primarily Chechyans in safe havens across the border in Pakistan.
DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES: Until the insurgency is deprived of safe havens, insecurity and violence will persist.
MIKLASZEWSKI: Now senior administration and defense officials confirm that President Bush has signed a secret order directing US ground forces to attack those sanctuaries without the permission from the Pakistani government.
When American commandoes launched such an attack last week, it drew a strong protest from Pakistan's military leader.
RICK BARTON (Foreign Affairs Analyst): Well, the greatest danger is that the Pakistanis who have been an ally of ours are going to say that they're not on our side any longer.
MIKLASZEWSKI: And what about Osama bin Laden? He and much of al-Qaeda are still on the loose.
BRIAN JENKINS (Terrorism Analyst, Rand Corporation): We chased them out of Afghanistan. We didn't relentless pursue them beyond that. And therefore, they were left alone.
MIKLASZEWSKI: And time is running out for President Bush to make good on his pledge to get him. Jim Miklaszewski, NBC News, the Pentagon.
September 11, 2008
NBC Nightly News, 7:00 PM
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Less than four weeks from now, this country will mark another seventh anniversary, the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, targeting the Taliban and the perpetrators of 9/11, al-Qaeda. Seven years, 588 American lives later, how is that effort going? Our report from our Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski.
JIM MIKLASZEWSKI: Nearly seven years after the US drove the Taliban and al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan and supposedly won that war, the fight has now turned more deadly than ever. For the first time, the number of American and coalition troops killed in Afghanistan is substantially higher than those killed in Iraq. And this year is on track to become the deadliest for American forces. Top US commanders in Afghanistan want three more combat brigades, more than 10,000 troops to combat the threat. And Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen warned Congress yesterday the US in Afghanistan is running out of time.
ADM. MIKE MULLEN [Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff]: I'm not convinced we're winning it in Afghanistan.
MIKLASZEWSKI: The reason, a resurgent Taliban has not only increased in numbers, but in recent attacks has used more sophisticated and deadly battle tactics, killing nine Americans in one assault, 10 French forces in another. US military officials tell NBC News the Taliban and al-Qaeda are receiving advanced military training from foreign fighters, primarily Chechyans in safe havens across the border in Pakistan.
DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES: Until the insurgency is deprived of safe havens, insecurity and violence will persist.
MIKLASZEWSKI: Now senior administration and defense officials confirm that President Bush has signed a secret order directing US ground forces to attack those sanctuaries without the permission from the Pakistani government.
When American commandoes launched such an attack last week, it drew a strong protest from Pakistan's military leader.
RICK BARTON (Foreign Affairs Analyst): Well, the greatest danger is that the Pakistanis who have been an ally of ours are going to say that they're not on our side any longer.
MIKLASZEWSKI: And what about Osama bin Laden? He and much of al-Qaeda are still on the loose.
BRIAN JENKINS (Terrorism Analyst, Rand Corporation): We chased them out of Afghanistan. We didn't relentless pursue them beyond that. And therefore, they were left alone.
MIKLASZEWSKI: And time is running out for President Bush to make good on his pledge to get him. Jim Miklaszewski, NBC News, the Pentagon.