More US troops have been killed in Afghanistan already in the month of May than in any other month this year. In a horrible reminder of the price that war exacts on flesh and blood American soldiers, during this month of May the 1,000th US Military member was killed since the beginning of this war.
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A month ago, General Stanley McChrystal stated that there was some evidence that some Taliban were training in Iran, but not a lot. Today, General McChrystal is turning up the volume on the Taliban training in Iran, as well as Iran providing weapons to the Taliban.
The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Sunday there is "clear evidence" that some Taliban fighters have trained in Iran.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal told reporters in the Afghan capital that Iran — Afghanistan's western neighbor — has generally assisted the Afghan government in fighting the insurgent group.
"There is, however, clear evidence of Iranian activity — in some cases providing weaponry and training to the Taliban — that is inappropriate," he said. McChrystal said NATO forces are working to stop both the training and the weapons trafficking.
General McChrystal also stated today that US troops will be in Afghanistan well beyond President Obama's promised beginning withdrawl date of July 2011.
The commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan says the war in the country will extend long beyond a deadline set by President Barack Obama
General Stanley McChrystal made the remarks during a news conference in Kabul on Sunday.
"I think President Obama's decision to begin the reduction of US forces in 2011 really needs to be viewed in that context." Gen. McChrystal said.
This is while Obama has vowed to begin withdrawing US forces from Afghanistan in July 2011.
McChrystal also stressed that progress toward stability in the war-torn country will be slow. "Progress will be measured in months, rather than days," he said.
Really, General McChrystal? It sounds to me like you are saying that progress will be measured in YEARS rather than months, as you are using the bogeyman that is Iran as another excuse as to why the war you are overseeing isn't going quite as well as you led everyone to believe it would once you got those extra troops you requested.
Why can't our politicians just come right out and say it. Billions for the military industrial complex, SI ! An extra $32,000.00 for a teacher that will reduce class size at an elementary school from horribly unmanageable to just mostly unmanageable? NO !
Because what is more important?
The lives of American soldiers and a steady economy with an actual education system and a real social safety net set up for Americans in need, or corporate profits?
We aren't ever leaving.