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Friday, June 17, 2011

Afghan security forces are attacking US personnel with more frequency because of the stress of combat

The answer, naturally is for more caring, more warm/fuzzy hugs and techniques to releive the stress of living in a combat zone.  Rest and relaxation are the doctors orders for these poor, stressed-out Afghan troops, troops who are not the least bit a stranger to fighting and the stress of combat.  Islam, as dictated by Muhammad means continual fighting until the world is for Allah alone.  Just ask the Taliban.


From USA Today June 14 by Tom Vanden Brook

'Insider' Afghan attacks blister

WASHINGTON — The number of attacks by Afghan security forces on U.S. and allied troops has increased dramatically this year, prompting commanders to seek ways to ease combat stress among Afghan troops, according to a NATO investigation obtained by USA TODAY.

Since 2005, there have been 22 such attacks, nine of them in 2011, or 40% of the total.
The attacks have coincided with an increase in the size of Afghan security forces and the addition of 30,000 more U.S. troops last year.

The attacks since 2005 have killed 51 troops from the U.S.-led coalition and wounded 48 more.
The review found that 38% of the attacks were the result of "emotional, intellectual or physical stress due to presence in a combat environment."

The attacks "do, in fact, erode hard-earned trust," Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, commander of the NATO training mission in Afghanistan, said during a recent visit to Washington.

The review of what the military calls "Insider Threat" is the first comprehensive analysis of attacks by Afghan security forces on allied troops since 2005. It comes after several recent attacks, including one on April 27 in which an Afghan air force pilot killed eight U.S. Air Force officers and an American contractor. In that case, stress appears to have caused the pilot to lash out, though he had not been recently involved in combat, according to NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. That case remains under investigation.

The fitness of Afghan troops to take the lead on fighting insurgents will take on added urgency in coming weeks. President Obama has said there will be a "significant" withdrawal of U.S. troops beginning next month.

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