It Seems That The Afghan Rules Of Engagement Give The Taliban A "Get Out Of Jail Free Card"

A U.S. soldier guards suspected Taliban prisoners in May 2006. John McHugh/AFP/Getty Images

Afghan Rules Of Engagement Force U.S. Soldiers To Free Insurgents Caught Red-Handed -- Washington Examiner

Several Taliban detainees who had been captured in February after being observed placing bombs in the culverts of roads used by civilians and military convoys near Kandahar were fed, given medical treatment, then released by American troops frustrated by a policy they say is forcing them to kick loose enemies who are trying to kill them.

Despite what American soldiers say was a mountain of evidence, which included a video of the men planting the bomb and chemical traces found on their hands, there was nothing the soldiers who had captured them could do but feed and care for them for 96 hours and then set them free.

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My Comment: Such a STUPID policy will ultimately cost lives .... but such is the sad state of affairs in Afghanistan today.

The Story Of A Platoon In Afghanistan

Members of Kilo Company, Fifth Marine Regiment, in Afghanistan on March 18. 'The public pays attention to Charlie Sheen,' said Capt. Nick Johnson. 'No one's heard of Sgt. Abate.' Bing West

Meanwhile, In The War In Afghanistan... -- Wall Street Journal

The decade-long conflict may be old news at home, but in one Marine platoon, it starts new every day.

On March 17, St. Patrick's Day, a dozen Marines, coated in mud, were sloshing through poppy fields in southern Afghanistan. Walking point for the patrol, Lance Cpl. Cody "Yaz" Yazzie swept a small metal detector back and forth. Twelve grunts from the Third Platoon followed carefully in his footsteps.

Back in the U.S., the news was dominated by events in Libya, the start of March Madness in college basketball and the latest court appearance of Lindsay Lohan. The fighting season in Afghanistan had begun, too, but in the U.S., the decade-old war is now largely ignored.

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My Comment: A eye opening account of what it is like to be a foot soldier in Afghanistan. Read it all.