US Predicts 50 Percent Spike in Afghan IEDs

[steven johnson]

Looks like there is going to be an escalation of the injuries and deaths in Afghanistan. Apparently the Taliban is going to have a 'surge' also.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 15, 2009
Filed at 3:21 p.m. ET

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AP) -- Strategically buried in the middle of dirt roads, packed in culverts and attached to trip wires, a heightened hidden danger awaits the thousands of U.S. troops pouring into Afghanistan to fight a tenacious Taliban.

The U.S. military expects a 50 percent spike this year in roadside and suicide bombings, which surpassed the number of similar strikes in Iraq during the spring. These types of bombs killed 172 coalition forces last year -- and far more Afghan civilians -- according to military figures.

''We don't hide the truth from them. We tell them if you are going to be killed or injured in Afghanistan, it is probably going to be by an IED,'' said Command Sgt. Maj. David Puig, 51, of Fort Lewis, Wash.

The dramatic rise in these attacks -- and the insurgents' skill in placing and camouflaging the bombs -- complicates the U.S. mission as the Obama administration searches for a fresh approach against the insurgency with the appointment this week of a new commander, Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

US Predicts 50 Percent Spike in Afghan IEDs
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[Catshrink]

1. That's great. Just fucking great.

My nephew leaves for Afghanistan in about 3 weeks.

[Solly Mack]

2. ...

...

[msongs]

3. as US troops go Afghan, so do the IED makers/users. Iraq Part 2 nt

[atreides1]

4. So much for the BS excuse or not releasing the torture photos.

Photos or no photos the troops heading to Afghanistan are screwed.

[MADem]

8. Spring offensives are predictable, they happen every year.. They have nothing to do with pictures.

The pictures, though, could get our leader killed in Egypt.

And all they show is the same disgusting shit we've already seen, convicted low-level abusers, and victims who would be revictimized by the release of the photos.

[Ocracoker16]

5. Do we really need to place our troops in that much danger?

Do we really need to send more troops to Afghanistan? IED's have been responsible for so many deaths as well as causing traumatic brain injuries that destroy young peoples lives. I am still highly doubtful about this war in Afghanistan.

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. OF COURSE WE DO! - doncha know those taliban are sneaking over to Amerikkka underwater?

.
.
.

they are a real threat to the USA mainland - with improvised snorkels, they can swim all the way to New Yawk and wreak havoc once again.

b'tween alkayda and the taleban, USA has to blow all these Middle East countries to shit just to protect the most powerful nation on the globe

OR

It could all be an Empire trying to control the oil and the pipelines in the Middle East . .

whaddya think? - worry of invasion on USA soil

or greed for oil ? ?

take ur pick . .

[MADem]

6. This is completely unsurprising. It's spring, and in spring, a young jihadist's thoughts turn to

blowing the shit out of vehicles that interfere with his boss's ability to control the countryside, profit from the poppies, and subjugate the women.

It's why it's so important that the best vehicles be used (like those ones the Israelis invented) --the ones that deflect the blast or use sensors to "feel" them in front of their vehicle or convoy.

Of course, the better we get at sniffing out those roadside bombs (and you have to watch out, because it's not just the "run over it, it goes BOOM" kind, it's also the "Guy stands far away with a cellphone and "calls" the bomb" kind, or the "garage door opener" kind), the sooner they'll stand off and start hitting us with RPGs. It's a scary job. I don't envy those kids one bit. They're earning their money and then some.

[Fresh_Start]

7. without photos to blame no less

must have been something Obama or Pelosi did which is causing this

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Oh, well, Just fire another general and put in another patsy and pretend that we're "winning".

[madrchsod]

10. where have i heard this before??......oh ya now i remember

"1-2-3 what are we fighting for?

don`t ask me ,i don`t give a dam

the next stop is "afghanistan"

it ain`t no time to wonder why

YIPPEE! we all going to die....."


obama`s walking into his vietnam

[questforfreedom]

11. and Iran will be blamed

lets see if Iran is once again used as a scapegoat for our military failures and blamed for the rise in IEDS

[Mari333]

12. never ending war. anyone want to protest? anyone?

Ive been writing the WH daily, but Im sure its falling on deaf ears. time to protest.

[Catshrink]

14. Bring 'em home now.

I think most Americans don't even think about the wars and that we have American service people overseas. That is so 2002. Until it hits home. The war doesn't "hurt" the average American like WWII -- no rationing or war bonds, etc. Bush tried to hide the cost of the wars, at least Obama is honest about it. Yeah, we'll pay for them sometime.

Americans won't do anything to protest until it touches them personally. Until then, nothing is more important than American Idol.