About Those Restrictive Rules of Engagement Posted by Michael Cohen

As has become his wont Rajiv Chandrasekaren has another must read in the Washington Post today about the issue of rules of engagement in Afghanistan and its impact on civilian casualties. I won't try to summarize the entire piece here, but as Rajiv argues the focus on protecting civilians at all costs is lowering morale, limiting the ability to go after insurgents and is being utilized by Taliban fighters as a weapon against US troops.  

Reacting to Rajiv's article, Spencer Ackerman makes the argument that "care to prevent civilian casualties won't be enough to protect US interests in Afghanistan against al-Qaeda and the Taliban; but lack of care will ensure that the population decisively turns against the U.S.-led coalition, and that pretty much forecloses U.S. options here."

I would quibble with this slightly. The problem here is that it is our presence - not necessarily our actions - that is putting Afghan lives in peril.  As this recent UN report show, roadside bombings, assassinations and suicide attacks are all up significantly from last year - as are the number of Afghans killed by NATO forces. So it's not as if lack of care by the United States is improving the lives of Afghans. Indeed, if our overriding goal was truly to protect civilians . . . well then we wouldn't be in southern and eastern Afghanistan in the first place.

As I noted today at World Politics Review, "U.S. military operations have created the worst of both worlds: continued violence against Afghan civilians and no significant rollback of Taliban momentum. Paradoxically, if Petraeus relaxes U.S. rule of engagement in Afghanistan, civilians may find themselves at greater risk of being harmed by U.S. soldiers, but still safer overall."

Moreover, continued failure to blunt the momentum of the Taliban militarily will almost certainly foreclose US options in Afghanistan - and that may come from both the Afghan government or perhaps more likely US public opinion.

So the choice we face in Afghanistan isn't between protecting civilians and not protecting civilians or blowing things up and not blowing things up.  As Spencer seems to be implicitly suggesting the issue is finding the middle ground between these two options.

And that means being clear about the fact - that if we are intent on fighting a war in southern and eastern Afghanistan -civilians are going to die in the process. While great care must be given to minimizing the loss of human life, it's not possible to square the circle and believe that such deaths can be avoided or even that the number of Afghans killed by American arms tells us much at all about how our presence there is perceived and ramifications of the war we are choosing to fight. 

If we're not willing to accept the fact that civilians are going to be killed in war - and that lives will be upturned by the determination that our perceived interests in southern and eastern Afghanistan trump those of local civilians - then we have no business fighting this war in the first place. This isn't intended as a dig on Spencer (who I'm sure understands this) but there is something frustrating about the way we seem to talk about civilian casualties in Afghanistan as if our very presence and our very decision to go to war is not a fundamental part of civilian suffering in Afghanistan.

Comments

[seslisohbet]

I encourage everyone a great website. webmaster
More like the posts and admire your site so I expect we so
voice-family as we want from you to take a leaf out sister site....thank you...

thank you admin ...
sesli sohbet
sesli sohbet

[seslisohbet]

I encourage everyone a great website. webmaster
More like the posts and admire your site so I expect we so
voice-family as we want from you to take a leaf out sister site....thank you...

thank you admin ...
sesli sohbet
sesli sohbet

[seslisohbet]

I encourage everyone a great website. webmaster
More like the posts and admire your site so I expect we so
voice-family as we want from you to take a leaf out sister site....thank you...

thank you admin ...
sesli sohbet
sesli sohbet

[Timberland boots uk]

it looks nice and I want to give my opinion

timberland boots uk is the classic American success story of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps - literally. In 1918, Nathan Swartz began a boot-making career as an apprentice stitcher at The Abington Shoe Company in Massachusetts. He started on the lowest rung on the ladder, learned his trade, and through hard work and determination eventually became the owner of the company.timberland sale Swartz and his sons continued to make shoes and boots for many manufacturers, and in the 1960s they produced the first truly waterproof boots. The innovation came by fusing soles to leather uppers without stitching.Comfortable enough to wear all day and rugged enough for all year round.waterproof bootstimberland boots sale are equipped to help people make a difference in their world, whatever your definition of that may be. Whether a true hiker or just hiking to work, from boots to chukkas to boat shoes to dress casual oxfords, ShoeMall has men's Timberland shoes of all styles. Our women's timberland boots sale range from rugged boots to delicate ballet flats, for however you want to walk through your day. We also have a brand new selection of kids' Timberland shoes. They're the perfect way to start your little adventurer's day off right! And, as always, we offer free shipping on all cheap timberland boots

[eva]

I think there are some laptop battery website in china are very good,for example shopbatery、laptopbatteriesshop and canada-laptop-battery and so on ,I think their credibility and service are very good ,and guest receive goods always punctual.If someone want to buy battery,I suggest above website,English friends may go to shopbattery and laptopbatteriesshop buy laptop battery,Canadian friends may go to canada-laptop-battery.

[Dredd]

I don't think The Ruler of Dubai has yet spoken on these rules of engagement, except for the anti-Islamic messages on the sights of U.S. rifles.

[yuchen]

They turned to the crowd who were fleeing scattered, and then his wife came to the north with the crowd, her husband went to the south, so the two were separated from the turbulence of links of london war for nearly ten years. It was a chance, his wife came to the South in market saw a very familiar links of the links of london silver bracelet, the owner really see it - is his long-lost husband, the couple links of london bracelet hugged each other and cry, links of london silver bracelet so that they can find the most links of london sweetie bracelet pro-people is indeed to bring luck to the people's jewelry,

[Dredd]

The rules of engagement were anti-Islam, anti-Muslim when U.S. soldiers were using rifles with bible verses on their sights, but that rule seems to have changed.

[juicy couture]

Fantastic post. Your post was that great, keep it up.Finding the right gift for yourself ,your friends and your relatives in juicy couture

[bravissimo voucher code]

I was wondering the same data.I didn't have deep idea of it but one of my friends was saying that the actual or physical enemy is any Muslim who adopts or accepts historical and traditional Shari'a as authoritative. This includes individuals, terrorist networks, clans, tribes, regimes, or states.Well thanks for listing useful things.

[Bankruptcy]

It is not like the lack of attention in the United States to improve the lives of Afghans. Indeed, if our goal was really to protect civilians. . . Well, would not be in the south and east Afghanistan in the first place.

[wholesale mac cosmetics]

I am interest in reading article ,I will come back to read.

[cheap mac makeup]

This article is worth reading,I am looking forward to another articles.

[discount jordan shoes]

I am apreciating it very much.I have never read such a lovely article and I am coming back

tomorrow to continue reading.

[cheap jordans shoes]

my friend told me that this blog is competitive. i will read more.

[Cheap UGG Boots]

I am apreciating it very much.I have never read such a lovely article and I am coming back

tomorrow to continue reading.

[jordan shoe]

Although Michael Jordan has retired, he is still my hero. His Famous words: "I can accept failure, but can not accept to give up." Now, the famous words are also my motto. It inspires my ongoing efforts to success. One of our basketball icons of all time, Michael Jordan is among the most successful athletes the sports history. As a NBA fans, I am interested in collecting the jordans shoes, especially, the jordan retro shoes. I like jordan shoe almost all jordans. The Jordan brand is a household name and people of all ages and social strata line up eagerly for the release of the latest model.

[spyder]

For a pair of sleek gloves that would look great with , These gloves are perfect for those who live in metropolitan areas where the spyder in the winter because these gloves are lined with extra warm and spyder jacket for that added layer of warmth and spyder.The slim lines of spyder jackets are convenient enough to slip into spyder ski wear when not needed.For a great pair of gloves that will keep up with you on the slopes even in the Paul smith outlet, The Thermacore insulation on these gloves will keep your fingers warm even when the freezing wind and Paul smith on you. The hidden heater and vent pocket stashes extra warmth on the cold days and dumps excess heat in the spring.

[uggs outlet]

I am interest in reading this article,It is informative and wonderful

[serdar ortac dinle]

Ne yaparız bende bilmiyorum doğrusu bu günlerde geçeçktir bunu biliyorum fakat hayat da hep böyle şeyler insanların karşısına geliyor bunun önünde durabilmenin yoluda sanırım birbirimize destek olmaktan geçiyor şeklinde abartıktan ve anlamsız yazılar yazdıktans onra şimdilik aranızdan ayrılıyorum.

Daha sonraki yazılarımızda görüşmek dileğiyle hoşcakalın arkadaşlar

[Martín]

One of our basketball icons of all time, Michael Jordan is among the most successful athletes the sports history

[seslichat]

If we're not willing to accept the fact that civilians are going to be killed in war - and that lives will be upturned by the determination that our perceived interests in southern and eastern Afghanistan trump those of local civilians - then we have no business fighting this war in the first place. This isn't intended as a dig on Spencer (who I'm sure understands this) but there is something frustrating about the way we seem to talk about civilian casualties in Afghanistan as if our very presence and our very decision to go to war is not a fundamental part of civilian suffering in Afghanistan.
seslisohbet seslichat

[hzniou007]

Ne yaparız bende bilmiyorum杭州装修公司 doğrusu bu günlerde geçeçktir bunu biliyorum fakat hayat da hep böyle şeyler insanların karşısına geliyor bunun önünde杭州搬家公司 durabilmenin yoluda sanırım birbirimize destek olmaktan geçiyor şeklinde abartıktan ve anlamsız yazılar yazdıktans杭州家装公司 onra şimdilik aranızdan ayrılıyorum.

[zhangguoren]

Princess temperament displayed immediately in front of everyone,pandorathe results of the prince married Princess smooth, pandora braceletspandora jewelry has become a favorite princess jewelry, because he seemed a token of love between two people, pandora charmshas been human spread

[zhangguoren]

People often live for others, who truly lived his life for themselves then? pandora It really want to make a big question mark?Why do not you do buy a Pandora Jewelry? You may be able to hang in there, but life is really difficult, but also very tired.pandora bracelets Although people can live for themselves is very live, very free, it can feel comfortable from his thoughts, very happy. However, around the reality of life in people is actually a very cruel. pandora jewelryPandora tells of life, so that you can not go according to your own life to live

[FFXIV GIL]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[jilingyu]

To some obscure corner from the moral integrity, links of london fairness and justice, and to comment on the big love the sunlight, "drying. links of london raindance let you in reality, and writing, we knew what being detached, and will face the smile, links of london jewellery instead of serious and many thoughts ； or heart was flat, or anxiety, or his or her tempestuous cold ； we always told himself, links of london charms in the world have more loneliness and solitude,

[jilingyu]

In the great journey through life on a cold for me, and contrasts finely with each other as moon and stars are looking good! to have met you and friends, links of london support and on. he can read your love, you can see the quandary, links of london sweetie necklace was able to read your eagerness and comfort your heart! one's life, a confidant, links london a bosom friend is more difficult. we have met once the mouth, had possession. at first sight it is more beautiful and is a thousand times. Your ordinary, talented, but can read my heart. the silent and genuine encouragement and comfort words, a cold soul. links of london charm let me take each time they meet each other, and still to listen, and silently for sharing. links of london silver i never dare to expect too much, as long as i can have a heart and let each other feel happy, with a warm. i understand there are two sides to love and comfort and regret.

[jilingyu]

When we turned, he has run away, if you haven't settled, please don't give up easily.　there are times when they are not born, links of london but was forced to an unfortunately, the helpless when i write the log, but i drew a blank. Countless for the love and sank, a packet of cigarettes a bottle of water a computer overnight. links of london UK know a personal freedom, links of london jewellery a man, with a quiet man, one simply, one sing songs, a man write the log. a man slowly turned and living alone, a man, a man! i hope you will find the light of your life. when you made for the people appear in the dream, links of london charms You really wish i could feel his true links of london heart charm's arms.

[jilingyu]

Hong Kong star Daniel Wu this 2 days active in the blog wedding news release, links of london the girlfriend of 8 years with the love Lisa, married in South Africa earlier this month has been, and still held a forest wedding, ownership of natural, simple and grand; as links of london ring, on behalf of marriage knot hair. links of london jewellery Married status in the open after the first public forum this evening to participate in Hong Kong Film Awards, the Avenue of Stars on the red carpet, generous showed off his left hand the ring, he said, feeling no different after marriage, but left a little heavier . But his hands wearing the same links of lonson ring, he said, links of london ring is a token of their love.Although not expensive, links of london charms but it looks clever design, elegant, simple, and this links of london rings engraved with their names.

[Replica Rolex]

That's a good idea, like it! Thank you for sharing!

[louis vuiton belts]

geçeçktir bunu biliyorum fakat hayat da hep böyle şeyler insanların karşısına geliyor bunun önünde durabilmenin yoluda sanırım

[Anonymous]

Most people say that wearing a Chopard is quite irritating, but this statement does not apply to others. It is very convenient to know the time when one is wearing a Chopard Watches . Finally, a person's social status may be established by just looking at one's Replica Chopard . Other persons use this Replica Chopard Watches stated just to show off, but that is his choice. 张加美测试！！！！！！！

[New Football Shirts]

Despite claims from some relatives of military personnel killed in Afghanistan that the directive has limited the ability of troops to defend themselves, the officials said a review by the U.S. military of every combat fatality over the past year has found no evidence that the rules restricted the use of lifesaving firepower. We hope them well always.

[new laptop battery]

laptop battery takes out her red cellphone and presses the talk key.

I hear that you have a Italy Symphony Orchestra concert on the 15th evening. laptop battery store When an opportunity comes, it brings a promise but never realizes it on its own. takes out her red cellphone and presses the talk key. Its about time . The gymnasts have so much control Jerseys Can I stop over on the way She is busy now. I mean it I like the big, dramatic events at the Olympics. Jerseys An old dog cannot learn new tricks. Well. It will be up immediately. Essentially, a theory is an abstract, symbolic representation of what is conceived to be reality. I couldn't be more sure. laptop batteries ... is a difficult problem, yet to be adequately resolved Section 3 discusses the aspects of fuzzy set theory that are used in the ... The usefulness of xx is also considered. Section 7 provides a summary and a discussion of some extensions of the paper. laptop battery store I guess so Is the departure time on schedule "Your future depends on your dreams." So go to sleep.

[designer handbags on sale]

military of every combat fatality over the past year has found no evidence that the rules restricted the use of lifesaving firepower. We hope them well always.

[ugg boots clearance]

It ugg boots clearance may be good news for the Democrats that many people didn’t seem to get the word about this big event, or even exactly which party is in charge. According to a Pew Research Center poll released last week ugg boots clearance, “Fewer than half (46%) know that the Republicans will have a majority only in the House of Representatives when the new Congress convenes in January, while 38% can identify John Boehner as the incoming House speaker.” Nancy Pelosi should just keep showing up every day as if nothing has changed, like Milton Waddams in Office Space ugg boots clearance. She can go cubicle to cubicle asking if anyone has her red stapler, and see how long it takes to get tossed out on her ear ugg boots clearance.

Then again ugg boots clearance, you can be sure that a lot of the fired-up Tea Partiers know exactly what they accomplished this election cycle. So some of the 54 percent who don’t understand must be Democrats who aren’t paying close attention ugg boots clearance, which is one of the reasons the party finds itself in this electoral mess. The paying-attention wing of the party is left to ponder what—to it—are seemingly contradictory thoughts among the voting public. According to a Rasmussen poll last week, slightly more than half of Americans (51 percent) say it is possible to achieve a balanced federal budget without raising taxes ugg boots outlet. But many Democrats believe raising taxes is an absolute necessity to balance the budget and dig out of the $1.4 trillion annual hole we’re in. An increasing number of Americans just don’t trust them to do it right, and with good reason. Most people think the government wastes money ugg boots outlet.

[ugg boots clearance]

Al's Protection Racket operated out of Manhattan, Kansas. Despite the name, it was a small, insurance-oriented police service with about twenty thousand customers, all within one hundred kilometers of the main shop. But apparently "Al" was some kind of humorist: His ads had a gangster motif with his cops dressed like twentieth century hoodlums. Wil Brierson guessed that it was all part of the nostalgia thing. Even the Michigan State Police - Wil's outfit - capitalized on the public's feeling of trust for old names, old traditions.
Even so, there's something more dignified about a company with louis vuitton outlet a name like "Michigan State Police," thought Brierson as he brought his flier down on the pad next to Al's HQ. He stepped out of the cockpit into an eerie morning silence: It was close to sunrise, yet the sky remained dark, the air humid. Thunderheads march around half the horizon. A constant flicker of lightning chased back and forth within those clouds, yet there was not the faintest sound of thunder. He had seen a tornado killer on his way in, a lone eagle in the far sky. The weather was almost as ominous as the plea East Lansing HQ had received from Al's just four hours earlier.
A spindly figure came bouncing out of the shadows. "Am I glad to see you! The name's Alvin Swensen. I'm the proprietor." He shook Wil's hand enthusiastically. "I was afraid you might wait till the front passed though." Swensen was dressed ugg boots clearancein baggy pants and a padded jacket that would have made Frank Nitti proud. The local police chief urged the other officer up the steps. No one else was outside; the place seemed just as deserted as one might expect a rural police station early on a weekday morning. Where was the emergency?

[ugg boots clearance]

Madame," quoth the myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde,
For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele,
And other ful much of other folk fongen bi hor dede3,
Bot the daynte that thay delen, for my disert nys euen,
Hit is the worchyp of yourself, that no3t bot wel conne3."
"Bi Mary," quoth the menskful, "me thynk hit an other;
For were I worth al the wone of wymmen alyue,
And al the wele of the worlde were in my honde,
And I schulde chepen and chose to cheue me a lorde,
For the costes that I haf knowen vpon the, kny3t, here,
Of bewte and debonertщ ugg boots outlet

[monclerjacket]

What you said is so attractive, so I want to show you my moncler jacket. As we know moncler is really so hot these days.

[white iphone 4]

Hi, where did you get this information can you please support this with some proof or you may say some good reference as I and others will really appreciate. This information is really good and I will say will always be helpful if we try it risk free. So if you can back it up. That will really help us all. And this might bring some good repute to you.

[white iphone 4]

Grande article! J'aime votre blog! Je l'ai signet

[karen millen dresses]

wonderful advice and discussing,I will get this great for me .thank you!…

[nikeoutlet.com]

Great post. Time is so precious and we cannot afford to waste it. Reminds of a comment a friend recently made "it's not how much time you put into something, it the energy you put into the time spent." Really do it or don't bother, right?

[spyder jackets outlet]

Thanks for reinforcing this important life lesson Chris!

[iphone covers]

Oh mon Dieu, vous êtes une personne génie et un bon photographe i comme votre grace images.

[chanel outlet]

From Bono to the saints to be on the causal responsibility, which is the eternal truth Therefore, the Buddha can not stop the Second World War, the Buddha can not stop the war in the Middle East,

[karen millen dresses]

the Buddha can not stop the tsunami in Indonesia, the Buddha can not stop the Wenchuan earthquake as they are all living beings, self-inflicted retribution,

[coach outlet]

the Buddha can not stop the tsunami in Indonesia, the Buddha can not stop the Wenchuan earthquake as they are all living beings

[karen millen]

so some people have no clear cause and effect thing ah can empty all complementary to each thousand Buddha Fa-Zhi,

[nike id]

Okay article. I simply found your blog site and wished to say I’ve definitely enjoyed reading through your thoughts. By any signifies I’ll be subscribing for a feed and I genuinely hope you write-up once more quickly….
nike id
nikeid.com

[Cheap Replica Watches]

I’m having a little issue I can’t subscribe your feed, I’m using google reader by the way.

[antalya ilaçlama]

Thanks for reinforcing this important life lesson Chris!

[Asics tokidoki]

All afternoon long, they watched as everyone else around the course was Asics shoes making moves up the leaderboard — Tiger Woods, Angel Cabrera, K.J. Choi — and figured they might as well get in on the action. Paired together on the Asics tiger shoes final round of the Masters, Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott did just that.And they nearly sent the whole thing to a playoff.

[Mynet Sohbet]

Ben sana cok asıktım sende ol diyemem ya.. herkesin bir dengi var ben senin ki değilmişim aaaa

[knockoff handbags]

your article is very useful.

[thomas sabo jewellery]

Very interesting many thanks, I presume your readers would likely want more reviews along these lines continue the great effort.

[replica handbags]

i LOVE YOUR ARTICLE,,, your opinion is very right...

[Oakley Sunglasses]

Perhaps this is one of the most interesting blogs that I have ever seen. Interesting article, Funny comment. Keep it up!

[Christian Louboutin Schuhe]

Ich mag lesen Ihre Post Sir. Ich fühle, dass ich ein Sachverst?ndigen auf diesem Gebiet zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt zu werden. Vielen Dank für die mir die dringend ben?tigte Inspiration.

[pandora jewellery]

Shape on's are for that visit to the supermarket when all you need is something that is comfortable and allows you walk through aisles, push that heavy cart and prevent you from having to squirm uncomfortably at thought of running into someone familiar because your shoes look preposterous to you.

[Cheap Air Jordans]

have been reading this blog for some time now but never bothered to comment until today. Wanted to let you know that I am a fan and enjoy your work.

[sohbet]

thank you sohbet sohbet odalari cinsel sohbet

[Tory Burch Sandals]

Irfan Nasser, 30, of Sparkhill, and Irfan Khalid, 26, of Balsall Heath, are accusedTory Burch Outletof preparing for an act of terrorism, including travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism, making a martyrdom video and planning a bombing Tory Burch Revacampaign.

[r4i card]

great job!, good to read and agree with your words.thanks for great sharing with us,i will tell more of my friends about it .Very good article it was helped me to check once again.

[replica handbags]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to share…very useful, indeed!