U.S. Soldiers Go Hungry And Thirsty In Afghanistan

A contracted air plane drops humanitarian aide supplies for Aka Sadiq to U.S. Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers at a drop site during a three-day combat reconnaissance patrol in the Bala Baluk District, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 30, 2010. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Pilch

U.S. Military Goes Hungry In Afghanistan -- Digital Journal

The United States Military is in the midst of a troop surge in Afghanistan, but the surge has caused the ratio of resources to troops to widen. Many American Forward Operating Bases are experiencing food and water shortages.

Sgt. Hill, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, has been in Afghanistan only a few months as part of the new troop surge into the country. The troops are mainly focused on training and promoting the Afghanistan army and police force. The training is the United States' attempt to "teach a man to fish," in the security department of the ever turbulent country, a country which is still undecided if it wants to break free from Taliban influence. With these larger issues at hand the need for proper amounts of food and water have fallen by the wayside.

Read more ....

My Comment:This is the second story that I have read in the past two weeks that outlines how food and water shortages are now starting to creep into the supply chain. Expect the Taliban to now intensify their attacks on supply convoys and basic shipments.

For history buffs .... this was the exact strategy used by the Mujaheddin against the Soviets in the 1980s, and according to my Russian cousins who fought in that war, it was incredibly successful. Food, water, ammunition, and the general basics were always in short supply .... and worse in winter.

U.S. Airbase In Kyrgyzstan Used To Supply Afghanistan Is Going To Close

A US soldier guards the main access checkpoint to the US air base 30 km
outside of Bishkek in Manas. Photo AFP.

Analysis: US Base Falls Victim To Kyrgyz Crisis
-- Yahoo News/AP

Kyrgyzstan may have felt it had no choice in expelling the U.S. from a base vital to the war in Afghanistan.

Months of crippling electricity shortages, soaring food prices and rampant unemployment have caused misery for much of the population. A reinvigorated opposition has threatened to stage nationwide protests against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Against that backdrop, Russia pledged to help raise $1.7 billion for a much-needed hydropower plant and issue a $300 million low-interest 40-year loan repayable over a 40-year period. Moscow also agreed to give $150 million in aid and cancel an outstanding $190 million debt.

But Russia has also made clear its objections to the Manas air base, saying it was only supposed to remain for two years after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Airbase Closing In Kyrgyzstan
US options after Kyrgyz base closure -- BBC

Tajikistan ready to help US with Afghanistan supplies -- Yahoo News/Ap
Kyrgyzstan says U.S. air base decision is final -- Washington Post
Kyrgyzstan: US base closure ‘final’ -- Christian Science Monitor
U.S. Searches for Alternative to Kyrgyz Base -- New York Times
Russia allows transit of US military supplies -- Yahoo News/AP
Russia offers its own territory for U.S.-Afghan shipments -- International Herald Tribune
Russia offers transit of US supplies to Afghanistan -- Euronews
Russia ready for transit of non-lethal U.S. goods to Afghanistan -- RIA Novosti
What the Russian papers say -- RIA Novosti
Russia Offers Kind Words, but Its Fist Is Clenched -- New York Times
Analysis: Moscow uses base as tool in negotiation -- AP

Russia To Help U.S. Deliver Cargo To Afghanistan

From CNN:

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia will assist the U.S. in the transit of non-military cargo to Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

Lavrov said on Russian television that his country intends to cooperate to help get vital cargo to NATO troops in Afghanistan.

The United States had asked to transport the cargo through Russian territory to Afghanistan, Lavrov said.

The U.S. military is planning to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan to halt a resurgence of the Taliban.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan's Supply Problems

Russia allows US supplies transit -- BBC
U.S. must agree with Russia on Afghanistan supplies - analyst -- RIA Novosti
Military Base Rights Pits US, Russia -- Washington Times
Hillary Clinton expresses 'regret' at airbase closure -- The Telegraph
Analysis: Moscow uses base as tool in negotiation -- AP
US Searches for Alternative to Kyrgyz Base -- New York Times
US Reconsiders Uzbekistan Bases -- Associated Press
Air Base Flap Reflects Tension -- Christian Science Monitor