Grim milestone as three U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan
CNN Wire Staff
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/30/afghanistan.soldiers.killed/t1larg.funeral.gi.jpg caption="A total of 85 international service members, including Americans, have died this month" width=300 height=169]
Three U.S. soldiers were killed in two separate blasts in southern Afghanistan, making July the deadliest month for American forces since the war started nine years ago.
The three died Thursday after an improvised explosive device attack, the International Security Assistance Force said.
Their deaths bring the July tally to 63. A total of 85 international service members, including Americans, have died this month.
Before this month, June was the deadliest month for Americans and coalition forces. A total of 103 international soldiers died last month - including 60 Americans. The totals are based on reports compiled by CNN.
The grim milestone comes amid concern at home over Washington's strategy in the Afghanistan war.
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Filed under: Afghanistan |
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We are going to unfortunately loose more as the surge continues!
This is part of the grim truth of war. We are also closer than we have been in 9 years to an acceptable outcome. Once we get all our troups assembled over there it won't be long before we wll have done our damage and can get back to more important items like fixing our country instead of someone elses
Our condolences to the brave young men and women. I hope when the rest get home we give them the mental, physical, and financial support they deserve.
My brother knew 2 that died in Afghanistan this month. He served with both of them there. One was his sargent,so this hits close to home.He will be a sargent when he returnes to Afghanistan this comming year.Lets keep all our souldiers and thier families in our prayers.
The continuing and increasing deaths of American and international soldiers in increasing numbers is grave cause for concern.
However for me the real issues are:-
1) The over emphasis on womens rights and treatment overall, in US diplomacy as a pre-requisite of the terms of settlement. Religiously in Afpak to much too soon, not a step one absolute need.Later,please.
2) Wanting both in Iraq and Afghanistan a system and form of governance that reflects a degree and set of western values ( one above as well) that the Religious faith of the population fundamentally has issues with ( many) hence the current political deadlock in Iraq and and the Afghani government despite all the nice words who insist on talking to the Taliban as a future governance partner, and fundamentally the US is against that. if you say no re US against, I am wrong, OK. The question then is who did we go to war with In afghanistan? We went to war with a Taliban that was hiding a very few religious extremists called Al Qaeda, who because USA and ISAF declared war on them (Taliban and Al qaeda) and declared Jihad, and increased exponentially thier support as religious defence is justifiable. Terror swept the world US and ISAF, and other Islamic nations become unstable.
The answer is get out militarily sooner than later and Diplomatic nation building and controlled aid on certain conditions like reduced poppy dependence. Better agro economics and less dependency, support to training and financing police/army all locals,and the rule of Islamic law like it or not.
Then ask Al Qaeda to publicly justify continuing international Jihad or stop it.
Islamic nations will never by thier own free will and choice have any Western, American, European style of democratic government. That was the Bush's largest mistake. Fight Islam and you have the crusades 21st century style all over again.
Regards,
Hodgson.