On The Ground Report From Afghanistan

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kimo Gallahue and Command Sgt. Maj. Andy Spano watch clearing operations in the Tangi Valley in Wardak province, Afghanistan, March 7, 2009. Gallahue and Spano are assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. The battalion pushed to clear the area that has seen few coalition forces in the past year. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III

So Build Them Roads -- Captain's Quarters

McClatchy recently had an interesting report on the importance of roads in counterinsurgency. It’s lengthy but well worth the time.

Two hundred U.S. troops rumbled into a key Taliban stronghold Wednesday in a major operation to stop insurgents from infiltrating the Afghan capital from the south and to clear the way for the first sustained international aid effort in this remote valley.

Supported by about 200 Afghan soldiers and their French army trainers, the 200 U.S. soldiers encountered no resistance.

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