Secretary Gates Blames NATO For Rising Afghan Violence

In an unusual public criticism, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he believes NATO forces currently deployed in southern Afghanistan do not know how to combat a guerrilla insurgency, a deficiency that could be contributing to the rising violence in the fight against the Taliban.

"I'm worried we're deploying [military advisors] that are not properly trained and I'm worried we have some military forces that don't know how to do counterinsurgency operations," Gates said in an interview.

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Comments

[VivaZapata]

08:13 AM on 01/17/2008

If he were smart, he'd blame illegal immigration.

[TimN]

10:59 PM on 01/16/2008

Not a big deal. Allied forces are going through the normal throws of group dynamics. Once they iron out their differences I'm sure they'll go right back to kicking ass.

[ceasenake]

09:12 PM on 01/16/2008

Thanks a lot, Eurofaries.

[realitytrumpsbull]

08:54 PM on 01/16/2008

I don't think they should waste another plug nickel on trying to fix other people's countries, or pacifying them or whatever you call it, here's today's national debt: Well, yesterday's but close enough:

http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np

Anyway, it's 9.194 trillion

That racks up at the rate of 3 billion a day, or so. Put down the crack pipe, and pick up the phone, there.

[Destin]

08:53 PM on 01/16/2008

As if Bush wasn't creating enough enemies for us whenever he opens his big mouth..... he sends out one of his cronies to open their mouth and stab our NATO buddies right in the back.

No wonder the world hates the USA. I mean, could it be any more fucking obvious?

[kyoput]

08:50 PM on 01/16/2008

1600 years ago the Scourge of God, Atilla the Hun,
ran rough-shot over the Roman Empire. Doing significant damage in the Eastern Empire he razed the Goths, the Visigoths, Gauls and so on. Destroying tribes, transplanting whole societies. The cumulative effect not felt till centuries later during Rome's eventual demise. About 1400 years ago the Golden Horde led by Ghenghis Khan began it's western push. Driving entire groups of people westward just as their philosophical brothers the Huns had done centuries earlier. Again, eastern life was devastated. Whole countries were over run, cities burnt to cinder, and entire races of people almost wiped off the map. About 800 years ago the Ottoman Empire rose from the ashes of demolished Turkish and Arab states and took hold of the east. After centuries of almost constant near eradication on both sides of the world they had power. But as is the case with all empires in fighting weakened them. About 80 years ago the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the wrong side. After their defeat they were carved up by Western powers to suit their needs.

[AtomicSplash]

08:40 PM on 01/16/2008

Come to think of it, sparkles wasn't here last night was he. That was actually kind of nice. He should be banned more often.

[HumeSkeptic]

08:35 PM on 01/16/2008

Now it is NATO. But, when we are all done fucking up in Iraq and Afghanistan, it would all be the fault of Liberals. As always.

[fact finder]

08:18 PM on 01/16/2008

Of course he does. After all blame the fox because you left the gate to the hen house open.

[hockeynut]

08:15 PM on 01/16/2008

i wish my fucking country canada would get the hell out of afgahnastan we are piece keepers not fighters we've lost soldiers there too why the fuck should we be fighting drug dealers thats all the fucking taliban are is fucking drug dealers i guess besides oil they want the poppie fields too what vrings more money in Oil and Herion

[BillN]

08:11 PM on 01/16/2008

"...he believes NATO forces currently deployed in southern Afghanistan do not know how to combat a guerrilla insurgency..."

So, I guess American Military Leadership (e.g., US Defense Dept.) can do better, given their stellar "longer than World War II" performance in Iraq?

Oh wait.. isn't the US a member of NATO?

Hope it didn't hurt too much when Gates (figuratively) punched himself in the face with that comment.

No wonder we're a laughing stock in the eyes our European allies.

[blackrome]

08:10 PM on 01/16/2008

Allies irked by reported Gates comments
http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Allies_irked_by_reported_Gates_comm_01162008.html

NATO'S NOT TO HAPPY.

NATO Allies Rankled by Report Gates Said Troops in Afghanistan Not Equal to Task

PAUL AMES
AP News

Jan 16, 2008 15:28 EST

Some of America's closest NATO allies reacted with surprise and disbelief Wednesday to reported comments from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggesting that their troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan are not up to the job.

The Dutch Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador for an explanation of a Los Angeles Times article that said Gates suggested soldiers from Canada, Britain and the Netherlands did not know how to fight a guerrilla insurgency.

In Washington, Gates' spokesman Geoff Morrell said the secretary had "read the article and is disturbed by what he read."

Morrell did not challenge the accuracy of the quotes in the story, but said he thought it left the wrong impression — that Gates had singled out a particular country.

The United States has regularly criticized Germany, France, Italy and other allies that refuse to allow their troops in Afghanistan to join U.S. forces on the front line against the Taliban in the insurgents' southern strongholds.

Why fight the freedom fighters the Great Ronald Reagan trained.

There America's friend's aren't they.

[GarsLuber]

08:06 PM on 01/16/2008

I saw that quote from Gates earlier.

He's not exactly one to talk about quelling an insurgency. Is he going to recommend that NATO take the bush course with the Sunnis and pay all of the Taliban $300 a month and free weapons?

[Jtt]

08:05 PM on 01/16/2008

Afganistan is a no brainer, with 40 percent unenployment I dont know what people expect.

If unemployment was that high in the US we'd have an armed resistance winning here. Hopefully at least.

Gates is incompetent. His militant "solutions" will worsen the situation.

[helonias]

08:05 PM on 01/16/2008

He's to scared to blame the real culprit.

God