(Video) As Afghanistan prepares for an election, award-winning photographer Sean Smith, stationed with British troops during Operation Panther's Claw, finds many soldiers becoming frustrated at the inexperience and lack of discipline of the Afghan National Army. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins - via The Guardian (US)
Good account of 2-1/2 months on patrol with British troops, with video of day-to-day operations. Shows troops' frustrations getting Afghan soldiers to do their part as well as Afghan's frustrations at the war being conducted in among their homes.
Coverage from the ground in Afghanistan repeatedly shows the Taliban evaporate from villages when soldiers are there. It's frustrating enough to watch, but how much more for the soldiers who have to carry out these missions day after day. It may be that no amount of extra troops will be able to defeat the Taliban, unless we drop all the troops directly into the mountains where they hide - too high for most Westerners.
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