Shift in front

ARTICLE: 9 Americans Die in Afghan Attack, By CARLOTTA GALL, July 14, 2008

In line with yesterday's column, we find ourselves reading about the worst losses of life now occurring in Afghanistan vice Iraq.

(Thanks: Jarrod Myrick)

Comments

[Smitten Eagle]

A tragic day in Afghanistan, to be sure. May God be with the families of the fallen.

However, Afghanistan has been moving sideways for some time (since at least 2004, probably much sooner), and the only reason we're hearing about it now is because Iraq has been largely stabilized. But, the reason it's been moving sideways is not for lack of resources, but lack of strategy.

"If it bleeds, it leads."

[Dan Harris]

Maybe I missed it, but I keep looking for you to comment on Bush's decision to go to the Olympic's opening ceremony and Obama's and McCain's opposition to that. Would love to know what you think.

[Louis Heberlein]

There have been 10 to 20 daily air strikes reported by JTACS in Afghanistan for each 'show of force' in Iraq for many months, but that doesn't filter through to media.

[David Sutton]

With the death of SAS Signaller Sean McCarthy bringing Australia’s total KIA to 6 since they started operation it will be interesting to see Australia begin to deal with the same mounting tension that can be caused by combat deaths. The Americans, British and other allies have dealt with this increasingly over the past 3 years but we have remained relatively unscathed.

The stay the course pundits will soon begin to question our involvement and I hope that Mr Rudd our new PM maintains his line that while he disagreed with Australia’s involvement in Iraq, he sees a future in Afghanistan and that the use of front line combat troops can help secure that future.