A Change In Strategy In Afghanistan?

U.S. Army Spc. Zackery Cely provides security from a tower on Forward Operating Base Lane in the Zabul province, Afghanistan, Oct. 5, 2009. Cely is assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tia P. Sokimson.)

US Rethinks Tiny, Remote But Vital Afghan Outposts -- Seattle PI/AP

COMBAT OUTPOST SPERA, Afghanistan -- U.S. troops were strapping on their gear for a 3:30 a.m. patrol along Afghanistan's border with Pakistan when word came to stand down: Soldiers were hearing heavy radio chatter among insurgents, raising suspicions of a coming attack.

Within 20 minutes the shooting had started, continuing steadily for two hours while militants attacked tiny Combat Outpost Spera from three sides with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Troops from the 101st Airborne Division fought back with rifles, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers until the insurgents faded away at dawn.

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Previous Post: U.S. Military Surrenders The Korengal Valley To The Taliban

My Comment: Each abandonment is being used by the Taliban as evidence that the coalition forces and their Afghan allies are losing the war .... and abandoning their Afghan allies.

The psychological trauma of this retreat .... and it is a retreat .... cannot be underestimated. No surprise, but the soldiers in the above AP story know this, and are openly expressing their opinion on why their outpost is important.