US Troops In Afghanistan Face Tough Battle: Making 'Clear, Hold, And Build' WorkI

U.S. Army soldiers observe terrain features in their sector of fire while providing security during a joint air assault operation led by Iraqi forces in the Ma'dain area east of Baghdad, Iraq, June 26, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick

From Christian Science Monitor:

In Wardak Province, the counterinsurgency model has been difficult to implement, though US forces have already seen some success in the first phase of the effort.

As the US sends more troops to Afghanistan to try to reverse the growing violence, they are relying on the "clear, hold, build" model of counterinsurgency. The US hopes a surge of soldiers will help them clear areas of Taliban insurgents, maintain a lasting presence in those areas to keep militants from returning, and then bring development to attract popular support.

But soldiers in Wardak Province say that the model has been difficult to implement in here. In particular, they say they are caught in a vicious circle: To win over the locals, the troops must bring development, security, and economic prospects. To do this, they have to diminish the presence of the insurgency. But this, in turn, requires that the troops win support of the population.

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My Comment: This article says the same thing that I have been mentioning for the past year .... there are not enough boots on the ground. Ignore the tribal and cultural differences between Afghan citiznes and US soldiers .... there are still not enough soldiers to be everywhere and everyplace all the time.

To establish the necessary relationships and contacts with the Afghans that you want and need to know .... let's face it ..... that will take years if not more. Will the U.S. still be in Afghanistan 10 years from now .... hmmmm .... I doubt it.

Will "Clear, Hold, And Build" work .... hmmmm .... I also have doubts for that policy.