by Aamer Madhani
In an attempt to smooth over hurt feelings over his recent critical comments about NATO's performance in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates did some fence mending this morning.
Gates praised NATO allies, noting that he told the House Armed Services Committee last month that several NATO allies have “stepped up to the plate” in Afghanistan.
The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that they would deploy an additional 3,200 Marines to southern Afghanistan this spring to help fill a shortfall of troops needed to fight a resurgent Taliban. Gates was quoted in a news report published earlier this week questioning NATO allies’ capabilities to conduct counterinsurgency operations.
“This deployment of Marines does not reflect dissatisfaction about the military performance in Afghanistan of allied forces from other nations,” Gates said this morning. “I mention this because there have been several recent media reports of discontent in the United States and among other NATO members about operations in Afghanistan. This does not reflect reality or, I believe, the views of our government.”
In a report published in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, Gates was quoted as saying, “I’m worried we’re deploying [military advisors] that are not properly trained and I’m worried we have some military forces that don’t know how to do counterinsurgency operations.”
Military experts and U.S. military officials privately have been questioning for some time whether NATO’s reliance on airstrikes and other heavy weaponry has, in part, caused an increase of violence in Afghanistan.
The comments in the Times caused a minor furor in the international community. Gates' comments spurred the Dutch Defense Ministry to summon the U.S. ambassador for an explanation and a British lawmaker referred to Gates criticism as “bloody outrageous.” Gates said that he had already called his Canadian counterpart to clarify his position.
On Wednesday, Pentagon press secretary, Geoff Morrell, said Gates was "disturbed" that he might be seen as singling out a particular country for criticism.
The Pentagon press shop moved up a scheduled Gates news conference this morning, so Gates could state his position in time to make European evening news and newspaper deadlines.
While insisting that he was not criticizing NATO members, Gates again today repeated his concerns.
“The alliance as a whole has not trained for counterinsurgency operations,” Gates said.
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Comments
We don't need NATO or the UN to fight. We're the US of A. Now find me someones son or daughter to fight while I sit back and watch my portfolio grow.
Posted by: Typical Republican | January 17, 2008 12:01 PM
While the Wingnuts have been busy running around and chanting "mission accomplished" in Iraq....again, the war against the guys who actually did attack us on 9/11 (Afganistan) has been falling apart.
Posted by: John E | January 17, 2008 12:45 PM
Gates is right! Sometimes you have to tell the truth to shake our allies up.
You would think after The U.S.A. came to their defense in the past with war fundings and the great loss of life, they at least could afford to send well trained counterinsurgency soldiers.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 17, 2008 1:28 PM
"NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER SPEAKS"
YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE!
THIS AINT TEXAS A & M OR THE CRAWFORD RANCH.
THIS IS NATO YOU CHERTOF WANNABEE!
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 17, 2008 1:36 PM
You would think after the Republicans came to the DODs' defense in the Clinton past with words of and promise of war fundings, the DOD could at least afford to send well trained counterinsurgency soldiers with a comprehensive counterinsuregency program way wayyyy wayyyy before the surge.
Posted by: Paulito | January 17, 2008 2:18 PM
I didn't sign up for Iraq because I'm to afraid..bu..but but go America because we're winning or something or hurry up and win because I'm tired of talking tough and hiding behind my keyboard here in Crestwood!!!
Posted by: Paulita | January 17, 2008 2:38 PM
I signed up for Iraq and I'm still in Iraq but go Republicans!!
Posted by: Pavlik | January 17, 2008 2:57 PM
"PAULITA SPEAKS"
I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT NATO OR ITS ARMED FORCES. I AM JUST A NUTCASE AWAITING MY CALLING TO GO TO IRAQ AND FIGHT AN AUGMENTATION OF A QUAGMIRE CIVIL WAR STARTED BY A C COLLEGE STUDENT WITH A 2.0 TRILLION DOLLAR CREDIT CARD.
WHERE CAN I SIGN UP FOR THE KARL ROVE SCHOOL OF MIDDLE EAST WARFARE. NO EMAILS, NO SERVERS, NO HAFRICA'S.
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 17, 2008 4:21 PM
Another example of the Bush administration's brilliant US military strategy and diplomacy. It goes something like this. Let's start a war in a god forsaken deserts of Afghanistan. Before we win it, let's lie to the world about weapons of mass destruction and start a second quagmire in Iraq. Because we get mired down in our lies, torture and mismanaged second war effort, lets drag our allies into our first war. As we watch the body bags of our allies build, lets criticize our allies. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!
Posted by: Ted | January 17, 2008 7:19 PM