An interesting show about the economics of the coming surge, and where all the money is going over there. It especially covers the whole paying off the enemy for safe passage, something that I am totally opposed to and I absolutely think we should not be allowing such a thing.
I mentioned in another article where a Capt. was begging for a fight with the enemy, and using trash talk to get them out in the open. Well Capt., if you want a fight, then put some men on these convoys so they don’t have to pay off the enemy for survival. Better yet, use these convoys as a way to get close to the enemy and kill him. If protection money is the top source of income of the enemy, then we must attack this income source and shut it down.
Also, give these convoy teams (Afghan or Expat) the tools to protect themselves. It’s just like the piracy issue with the Somalis. The enemy looks at these convoys as easy pickings, as well as a source of income, and that needs to change. Matter of fact, if we started implementing a Q-Boat style strategy, and lure in attackers with really juicy yet lethal convoys, then I guarantee you will change the dynamics of the enemies profit machine. Right now, the Taliban does not fear the convoy or logistics train. That needs to change, if in fact we want the Taliban to stop attacking them. Especially now that we plan on surging in thousands of troops with thousands of contractors and tons of supplies flowing in along with. –Matt
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Private contracts drive Afghan economy
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Private contractors outnumber U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Steve Henn reports these contracts play an important role in the Afghan economy.
TEXT OF STORY
TESS VIGELAND: Next Tuesday President Barack Obama will give a nationally televised address to announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan. Early word is that he will do so. A surge could ultimately mean more than 100,000 soldiers and Marines on the ground. But that’s just a fraction of the U.S. military commitment.
As Marketplace’s Steve Henn reports, private contractors outnumber U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and those contracts are now the driving force behind the Afghan economy.
Listen here.