Can we no longer anyone?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17163315

/// On Thursday the Taliban had called on Afghans to attack "invading forces" in revenge for "insulting" the Koran. ///

With this latest unrest due to US troops burning the Koran, it is now becoming obvious that it is now providing the ideal weapon for the Taliban, so would it would seem reasonable to believe that we can no longer trust anyone.

So isn't it now time that all foreign troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan?

[andy-hughes]

I don't see the link between the Koran burning and our inabiity to trust anyone - which in turn should lead to our troop withdrawl - can you explain for me please AOG?

[rov1100]

Such a horrible crime especially when they are decaptitating people in the name of Allah. Somebody has lost their sense of proportion!

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

I thought you of all people would have been able to intelligently work that one out for yourself.

But I will explain, these latest killings were carried out in a secure area deep inside one of the most high-security buildings in Afghanistan, by previously highly trusted Afghans.

And the killing of these two American soldiers, were killed by an Afghan soldier.

/// On Thursday, an Afghan national army soldier joined the protests and gunned down two American soldiers. ///

http://www.telegraph....ot-dead-in-Kabul.html

So isn't it reasonable that due to this latest highly inflamed situation, no Afghan can now be trusted.

Would you trust anyone, if you were out there, how would you know who were friendly?

[boxtops]

You don't - same as if you are in the forces anywhere in hostile situations - you keep your wits about you at all times.

[tamborine]

Alleged afgan prisoners were messaging thru the Koran

http://www.csmonitor....ist-messages-in-books

[Gromit]

// So isn't it reasonable that... no Afghan can now be trusted. //

No it isn't reasonable. It is like saying after Doctor Shipman, no Doctor can be trusted. Most Afghans, like most doctors, can be trusted.

[naomi24]

Gromit, //Most Afghans, like most doctors, can be trusted.//

Are you sure about that? How do you know?

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// Most Afghans, like most doctors, can be trusted ///

If you were out in Afghanistan, would you be prepared to put your life at risk, by picking out which Afghan you could trust?

Those who were killed, thought those around them could be trusted, and look what happened to them?

But I wondered how long your usual Dr Shipman chestnut would be rolled out, by the way you forgot to mention Dr Crippen

An entirely different situation, if you have ever faced foreign hostiles (which you obviously haven't) it is wise not put your trust in anyone of them, no matter how friendly they were to you.

I think the families of those killed by these so called 'trusted' Afghans, would have something to say about your ridiculous statement.

[Brenden]

read your link tambourine, could be possible, no doubt we will find out soon. They are rioting to protect their religious freedom but burn our bibles, flags and poppies - but that is ok. Would I trust them, not in a million years.

[EDDIE51]

The USA really put their foot in it this time by burning the Koran , it has played right into the enemys hands. Another case of the soldiers on the ground not understanding the situation.
The security obviously was not tight enough, someone got a gun into the secure area, it is going to be very hard to improve things.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Since it was you who brought doctors into the argument, seems like some of them can't be trusted either.

I refer of course to the two involved in the 2007 Glasgow Airport bombing attempt.

Dr Bilal Abdulla and Dr Mohammed Asha, I believe.

http://edition.cnn.co...bing.trial/index.html

[naomi24]

Brenden, //Would I trust them, not in a million years.//

Neither would I.

[tamborine]

Brenden I said 'alleged' - look it up.

[tamborine]

We can trust the afghans to adhere below

1.Autocratic regime
2.Fifth century Koran teachings
3.Elderly Warlords
4.Opium farming
5.Young males & children as martyrs
6.Child brides
7.Submissive females
8.No education

[andy-hughes]

Thanks for your explanation AOG - apologies if you felt let down by my misunderstanding of your point first time round.

"Would you trust anyone, if you were out there, how would you know who were friendly?"

Well no, but then I wouldn't be out there anyway because I don't think democracy enforced by miliary invasion is really the way to get other people to trust me. If I stand there with a gun in my hands in their country, I would think trust on either side would be in short supply.

[Kromovaracun]

"An entirely different situation, if you have ever faced foreign hostiles (which you obviously haven't) it is wise not put your trust in anyone of them, no matter how friendly they were to you."

Are you familiar with the 'Malayan Emergency' AOG? It was ongoing at around the same time you were serving in the forces, and it's about the best example of a counter-insurgency the British have ever conducted. Either way, it's actually a pretty good example where the principle you espouse here would have been wholly destructive*. More recently, it's also not the policy which Petraeus applied very successfully in Iraq - Iraqi militias were extremely important in reducing insurgency activity in the latter stages of the war.

*If you haven't heard of it - which is understandable, as most people haven't - then I reccommend Barber's 'The War of the Running Dogs'.

[anotheoldgit]

Kromovaracun

/// Are you familiar with the 'Malayan Emergency' AOG? It was ongoing at around the same time you were serving in the forces, ///

You have no idea when I served in the forces.

[douglas9401]

So IF the books were being used to pass messages what method of disposal Would be acceptable? Stoning? Beheading? IED? Grenade launcher?

More of the same it would seem.

[Kromovaracun]

"You have no idea when I served in the forces"

Jeez. Touchy.

The emergency took place between roughly 1948 (if I remember correctly), and about 1960. I'd inferred that you'd most likely served at some point during the 1950s, which would make sense given that you've said previously you were too young to serve in WW2 and national service was first abolished in 1960 and ended completely just a few years later. So while possible that you didn't, I figured it'd be highly likely that you'd probably served at some point between 1948 and 1960. Which is all that I said.

I also notice you didn't answer my question.

[Kromovaracun]

Actually, given that you seized on quite possibly the most inconsequential part of my post and nothing else, I'll take it as read that you're not familiar with the Malayan counter-insurgency.

Have a look at Barber's book - you'll like it :).