More Restrictions For US Forces In Afghanistan

STAIRWAY PASSAGE - U.S. Army soldiers conduct a foot patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan Jan. 16, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to Company C, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez

US To Tighten Afghan Raid Rules -- Seattle PI/AP

KABUL -- The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan plans to tighten the rules on night raids, The Associated Press has learned, in a new step to curb public anger over perceived violations against civilians.

Such raids have emerged as the No. 1 complaint among Afghans after Gen. Stanley McChrystal curbed the use of airstrikes and other weaponry last year.

NATO spokesman Rear Adm. Gregory Smith told the AP a new directive would be issued soon to set down new rules for night raids.

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My Comment: For the past year the rules of engagement have been continuously changed in Afghanistan. But at the same time .... Taliban control of the country has increased, casualty rates for Afghans are skyrocketing, and coalition forces are being killed and wounded at unprecedented rates.

Hmmmm ..... I am not inside Afghanistan but looking at what has happened (and is happening) makes me skeptical that changing these rules of engagement will change what is happening in the battlefield in our favor .... instead, it will probably get worse.