ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by Pigshyt_Freeman

It doesn't really matter anyway; it's what the Afghans believe that counts. And given the number of civilians killed during air-strikes and firefights it's a fair bet they won't take much convincing that this was an operation that went wrong.

Tell you what: I would not be surprised if this thread had more discussion on it, of these killings, than is happening in the bazaars of Afghanistan. If some well-informed[?] western observers have it right, the impact of the Quran burnings was more severe there than here, while (at the same time) the impact of these killings is more severe here than there.

If that take is correct, you couldn't get a clearer illustration of how opposed are the world views of the Afghans and of Westerners. As stark as the difference between a photo print and a photo negative (if you're old enough to remember 'wet film' photography).

2 things occur to me from that thought:

Firstly - the notion that however 'Good Guy' we may believe we are - it is the Afghan take that matters more. Bet yr arrse they differ substantially in their appreciation of what is 'good' and 'bad' aboout what the West does over there.

Secondly - from an Info Ops/Influence perspective, what matters is the response of a particular audience, to a particular event. On that basis, the Quran burning plus this are a double-whammy in favour of the Talib.

The former incensed the indigenous, while the latter has triggered in the West, a wave of sentiment in favour of early exit

This sentiment is based (in part) on the perception (exemplified to extreme by at least one tinfoilhatnutter posting on here) that the West is doing nothing but deliberate harm to Afghans, and in part on the mainstream view that the decade-old 'war' (it isn't a war, but hey-ho) is achieving nothing worthwhile, and that the assassin in this instance is but an extreme instance of the (overly) high price our troops are paying for western political vanity, for which, therefore, the killer deserves at least a little sympathy*.

There are lessons in here for Generals to learn. I ain't gonna hold my breath waiting for evidence that they are doing so.
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*Stonkernote On that point, I couldn't disagree more strongly. The thing that would hold such spiteful acts most effectively under control, is collective tribal disapproval on all our parts. Let justice take its blindfold course, but let its standards be set high, and let them guide what our soldiers do, wherever, and whenever.

Originally Posted by Stonker

Cunning?

So they say.

Originally Posted by Brotherton Lad

So they say.

and you reply 'mmmnnnmmmmnnnmmmnnn' ?

Originally Posted by Stonker

and you reply 'mmmnnnmmmmnnnmmmnnn' ?

That would be telling (other linguistic allusions are on the tip of my tongue, but are increasingly numbing).


Besides the fillum is on the Beeb. Haven't seen it since '72 and suspect I'll get rather more out of it this time round.

Michael Yon has an interesting take on the subject under the heading "The Panjway 16".

Michael's Dispatches

BBC News - 'No proof' in Afghan massacre suspect Sgt Bales case

is tommy sheridan defending this bloke?

Well, he's now been charged with murder and, according to the BBC, faces the death penalty if convicted.

BBC News - Robert Bales to face murder charges over Afghan massacre

[QUOTE=Infiltrator;4299221]Well, he's now been charged with murder and, according to the BBC, faces the death penalty if convicted.

If of sound mind he deserves it.