Bring Out the Nails

[Anwaar]

Bring Out the Nails

by Anwaar Hussain

Bring out the nails to be hammered into the coffin of the fast approaching death of the dream of American Empire which has started to wane badly in its staging outposts of Afghanistan and Iraq. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because in Afghanistan, the first Neo-colony of the American Neo-Conservatives, the Taliban are on the rise a la the fabled phoenix rising from the ashes and where they once again control most parts of southern Afghanistan openly setting up shadow administrations there and where the coalition forces are getting a beating of their lives from the rag tag Taliban and where the whining and griping among the coalition forces over their looming defeat is increasing with each passing day and where on the Pakistani side too, the supremo General Musharraf has beaten a hasty retreat from the bordering Waziristan rather than trying to reinforce failure. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because, drunk with delusions of grandeur and self-adulation, the Empire seekers made a bad choice in Afghanistan as the launching pad of their dream by ignoring the warning of Sir Olaf Caroe, the last British governor of North West Frontier Province of bordering Pakistan, who said: "Unlike other wars, Afghan wars become serious only when they are over." Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because the Empire seekers failed to understand, and still do not, that it is not the Taliban phenomenon that is writing the epitaph on the grave of their Empire building dream, that being a mere label, but it is the Pathan culture that is responsible for their imminent demise and which they failed to study enough and of which the British knew only too well but chose not to inform their gullible partners. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because the Empire seekers tried to defeat with brawn what should have been conquered with brain and did not realize that though the Afghan Pathans’ loyalty to Islam is severe, their culture often seems to supersede Islamic convention and that the rise and fall of Taliban was but one brief twist of history in this rugged part of the world and that Taliban or no Taliban, resisting foreign occupation of their land is a way of life for them and that after the exit of the Soviets from Afghanistan, the Taliban experience could hold their interest for only as long and that if there were no foreign occupiers soon enough, the Pathans would have had to invent some to go on with their way of life. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because the Empire seekers did not comprehend that the Afghan Pathans may have been subdued for brief spans of history but have invariably bounced back on their enemies with renewed strength and malice, that they are renowned as equally for their loyalty to friends as for their fierce blood feuds and hatred of enemies. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because the Empire seekers refused to learn from history that in their blood feuds only, the Afghan Pathan’s patience is known to be as great as their mighty Hindukush, that they are one of the most resistant tribal peoples on earth having withstood the military might of Alexander the Great, Mogul Emperors, the Soviets, and the British in the past and that considering death as not too high a price to pay for their honor is a part of their culture. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because the Empire seekers ignored the wisdom passed on to them from other Europeans since the days of Alexander that Afghanistan is a vast expanse of desolate plains and untamed mountains, ferocious warriors, uncompromising Islam, vicious tribal rivalries, and a political complexity that entwines bloodlines, chivalry, religion, and history into an eerie unfathomable mix making it a land of great mystery that should have been left alone to find its own natural stability. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because in Iraq too rigor mortis has almost set into the corpse of the Empire building dream with a sense of finality that was never there in the past four years of occupation of that unfortunate country and that success in Iraq now no more means defeating the sandal footed resistance fighters but holding long enough for something or someone to come relieve the bogged down, war-weary, and de-humanized American troops in the trouble spots. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because the recently declassified National Intelligence Estimate is now calling Iraq as the ‘cause celebre’ not for resisters to American occupation but for ‘terrorists’ and that this deliberate attempt to confuse the two is likely to cost the Empire seekers dearer and dearer with each passing day. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because veteran Washington reporter Bob Woodward tells Mike Wallace in an interview to be broadcast this Sunday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS that the Bush administration has not told the truth regarding the level of violence, especially against U.S. troops, in Iraq and that attacks against coalition troops are getting to the point now “where there are eight, nine-hundred attacks a week. That's more than 100 a day. That is four an hour attacking our forces," and that a key intelligence report predicts the insurgency will only grow worse next year. Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails because according to Woodward in that same interview, the president and vice president have started to often consult with Henry Kissinger, that war criminal and author of the Cambodian Bombing campaign that contributed so significantly to the civil war there, who thinks that in Iraq ‘victory is the only meaningful exit strategy’ and who believes that ‘the problem in Vietnam was we lost our will.’ Bring out the nails.

Bring out the nails to hammer into the coffin of the Empire dream but keep a silver bullet handy should the monster make one last-ditch attempt to escape from its eternal grave.

Bring out the nails.

Copyrights : Anwaar Hussain

Sources

1. www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/092906dnnatwoodward.298e1fb5.html

2. www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6151316

3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Kissinger

[georgebarnard1]

Not enough nails, Anwaar. Not soon enough. They are "steaming" for Iran, just so they can become outright dictators, regardless of the cost.

WW III in my opinion before next month is out.

God bless.....
George.

[Anwaar]

That, George, will be the last nail in their coffin. Take it from me.

Anwaar

[Anonymous]

Wow Anwaar! Terrific article and very true and haunting..

[michelle]

Thank you for your input on the tenacious nature of the Pathans.
Given that our scribe here is of that ethnic background, and witnessing his own tenacity in bringing our attention to the Neo-Conservatives' plundering and destruction of our planet, I would say that he should know and that his prediction will ring true. He has been pounding nails for a long time now!
Thanks for all you do, Anwaar,
Michelle

[Doug]

Anwaar: Your Afghan analysis is correct....... but only because there is no oil to enrichen the US and the oil barons from Texas. But you underestimate US military power in Iraq. We will destroy the place to save it.....because the only thing we are trying to save is the oil for American use. For this reason, stage III of the Iraq war started. That stage is the building of PERMANENT US bases in Iraq. More importantly, those bases are designed to prevent the overthrow of the Saudi regime next year and to protect that oil supply. So expect no changes in Iraq while the Bush junta is in power thru 2008. Until Bush leaves office, you are going to have an empty coffin in Iraq. Meanwhile in Afghanistan, America loses interest quickly; so expect America to begin withdrawing next Summer....... followed by the topple of Karzai next Fall. So hold the nails, you can't bury bodies until America stops the killing. The blood thirst in the White House is strong-willed too.

DVS

[David T Gray]

Nice stuff Sir Hussain. Here are a few probes that might add to the discussion.

1. 46 Republicans joined the Democrats in disallowing the permanent bases in Iwreck. At least they are on record as opposing them. If & when they are dismantled is another question.

2. There are many sources who state that, true, the Saudi Royal Family will ultimately be ousted, but, their dominion is slowly wasting away already, primarily due to autocratic rule & draconian enforcement of the laws of Sharia. Remember, the Saudi Royals are pampered spoiled brats living a profligate lifestyle on "allowances" extracted from the citizenry. They import all of their labor since they wouldn't dirty their Royal hands with the everyday chores of living. The key is WHAT/WHO will replace them when their time is up, and whether the tortured citizenry will have much say in their government.

3. Not only is Iwreck bankrupting the US, Afghanistan is begilnning to regress to the former state of "rule by warlord" with the accompanying resurgence of the Taliban. There are basically two jobs to be had in in Afghanistan--work to get the heroin out. or become a soldier.

4. In addition to the waste in Iwreck, the "gorilla-in-the-living-room that is ALSO slowly draining the American coffers, unbeknowst to the American people since the media avoids it like a plague, is the maintenance of OVER 700 US military installations around the globe. These are primarily "listed" as military "presences" to buttress our "security interests" in foreign lands. Sorry to speak in such coded language but these kinds of designations for military bases were adopted so as to keep the truth HIDDEN from the American taxpayer who is footing the bill. This "blanket terminology" maintains a cloak of secrecy about just why SOME foreign citizens "hate us". The really sad fact about this "hate" is that PRIOR to our invasion of Iwreck we had more friends than enemies. Afiter 9/11 we could count our real enemies on one hand, and even they were sotto voce in their sentiments. Now our friends can be counted on one hand. But I truly believe in my gut that the world-wide affection for the American people, not their government, could be restored apace, but that window of opportunity is rapidly closing.

5. Many sources say that the reason that the Bush-Neocon-Military-Industrial-Telecommunications-Complex (COMPACT?) wants to control the oil spigot in the Middle East is not to preserve it for America but to be able to dominate the next superpower--China. Our corporations are racing to establish a foothold in that country like gangbusters. The proof could be in these two events that happened during the Bush Residency:

a) When an Amercian sub was caught and captured in Chinese waters Bush began to spout off like a rodeo clown. Soon his belligerent manner was toned down to an "aw shucks" diplomatic stance. The media was replete with diplomatic voices from past administrations toning down President Pretzel's rhetoric. Soon the "captured" members of that submarine were "rescued" from the Red Scourge from across the sea and given medals from Bush on a big "media splash moment" broadcast world wide.

b) When the new Chinese premier decided to visit America he stopped at Microsoft FIRST and left Bush with BBQ sauce dripping from his nose at the White House. If that wasn't a message heard around the world I don't know what was.

5. Two-thirds of the American populace have been targeted for disposition. The standard of living indices by initernational orgs who track these statistics have America going further downward yearafter year. Financial aid, low-income housing, veteran's benefits have been targeted for elimination to help pay for tax-cuts for the rich & the military. These "vicitms" have been abandoned to self-destruction, eventual incarceration or as war fodder for the endless fights against terrorism.

Soon, if the Bush Fundamentalists have their way there will be two, controllable clans in America: those who believe the panacea of the Holy Bible & those who are left to fend for themselves. The Christian Nationalist movement is deciding who shits where in DC & EVERY Cabinet post in the Bush Administration has a representative from this radical religious army poised to further the cause.

Things are not doing to well in River City, folks. Please pray for us that 2006 brings a change in direction.

David T. Gray
Claremont, NH

[tymenus]

Death by Ideology

As though placing a patriotic flag inserted into a land, whose culture is vastly different would support the toppling of a tyrant and new beginnings…

A basis of hopes and dreams for brighter tomorrows…
Winds of change, that cannot and should not personify an American way of life

For it is not ours for the taking..
“Theirs” is not ours for the taking…

We were to be their mentor…
But we meant nothing but an unimpressive ideology…

Iraq cannot conquer its hopes and dreams ,
Goals and aspirations based upon American ideology.
Iraq must decide its own fate…

The quintessential message , cannot be one of Imperialism, but an Iraq which unifies it cultural diversities acknowledging its unique groups and offers lateral opportunities for all without cultural or gender bias.

Iraq and its people have suffered much from those who feel it is theirs for the taking…
Selfishly bombarded with interests that do not serve her people…

Iraq cannot be a demo-version of a new democracy , for the middle east…Iraq cannot be ruled in fear of external forces…who has fueled such an insurgency of interests?

The wealth of its people belongs to those who have already embraced the respect of the people…not through arrogance or force, but through compassion and tolerance…

Growth through understanding, Peace through harmony of its own…

The American soldier, journalist, worker, warrior of extremism, took up cause with our own Ideology. …all to their demise.

Iraq, rich in culture and spirit, is not ours for the taking…or anyone else’s..

Iraq belongs to its own wisdoms…
Iraq belongs to its own.

[Anwaar]

In Case I Disappear

By William Rivers Pitt

Excerpt

"Underneath all this is the definition of "enemy combatant" that has been established by this legislation. An "enemy combatant" is now no longer just someone captured "during an armed conflict" against our forces. Thanks to this legislation, George W. Bush is now able to designate as an "enemy combatant" anyone who has "purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States."

Consider that language a moment. "Purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States" is in the eye of the beholder, and this administration has proven itself to be astonishingly impatient with criticism of any kind. The broad powers given to Bush by this legislation allow him to capture, indefinitely detain, and refuse a hearing to any American citizen who speaks out against Iraq or any other part of the so-called "War on Terror."

If you write a letter to the editor attacking Bush, you could be deemed as purposefully and materially supporting hostilities against the United States. If you organize or join a public demonstration against Iraq, or against the administration, the same designation could befall you. One dark-comedy aspect of the legislation is that senators or House members who publicly disagree with Bush, criticize him, or organize investigations into his dealings could be placed under the same designation. In effect, Congress just gave Bush the power to lock them up.

By writing this essay, I could be deemed an "enemy combatant." It's that simple, and very soon, it will be the law. I always laughed when people told me to be careful. I'm not laughing anymore.

In case I disappear, remember this. America is an idea, a dream, and that is all. We have borders and armies and citizens and commerce and industry, but all this merely makes us like every other nation on this Earth. What separates us is the idea, the simple idea, that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are our organizing principles. We can think as we please, speak as we please, write as we please, worship as we please, go where we please. We are protected from the kinds of tyranny that inspired our creation as a nation in the first place.

That was the idea. That was the dream. It may all be over now, but once upon a time, it existed. No good idea ever truly dies. The dream was here, and so was I, and so were you. "

Read the rest on TruthOut at tinyurl.com/nhmyg

Read that for me too.

Anwaar

[evelyn]

Anwaar,
To the preceeding comments I can add nothing other than - Stay well.

[Anwaar]

White House in crisis over 'Iraq lies' claims

Watergate journalist's new book exposes how Bush has kept the US public in the dark about the true costs of the 'war on terror'

The Guardian, Sunday October 1, 2006

Excerpts

"Sparking the crisis was a series of leaks from a hard-hitting new book by the political journalist Bob Woodward, one of the two Washington Post reporters who broke the Watergate scandal that engulfed the Nixon administration three decades ago.

The author's first television interview on the Iraq book is due to be shown this evening on the CBS show 60 Minutes, and is expected to ignite a huge row over the conduct of the war. The book lifts the lid on an administration in crisis, claiming that Bush and his top officials have deliberately covered up the seriousness of the violence in the war-torn country.

...[The book] portrays Bush as determined to stick it out even if his only supporters are whittled down to his wife and the White House dog. 'I will not withdraw, even if Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting me,' Woodward quotes Bush as having told top Republicans at a White House meeting."

Read the rest at : tinyurl.com/lyfes

Bring out the nails, I say.

[Anwaar]

British troops in secret truce with Taliban

LONDON,Oct 2: British troops battling the Taliban are to withdraw from one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan after agreeing a secret deal with the local people, reports ‘Sunday Times’.

According to the paper, over the past two months British soldiers have come under sustained attacks defending a remote mud-walled government outpost in the town of Musa Qala in southern Afghanistan. Eight have been killed there.

It has now been agreed that the troops would quietly pull out of Musa Qala in return for the Taliban doing the same. The compound is one of four district government offices in the Helmand province that are being guarded by British troops.

The paper said although soldiers on the ground may welcome the agreement, it is likely to raise new questions about troop deployment. Last month Sir Richard Dannatt, the new head of the British Army, warned that soldiers in Afghanistan were fighting at the limit of their capacity and could only “just” cope with the demands....

Read the rest at : www.dawn.com/2006/10/03/top11.htm

[Anwaar]

Where are all the dead Taliban?

British troops in Afghanistan are brave, says robert fox, but the body count doesn’t add up

Troops in line for VCs," the Daily Telegraph trumpeted this week, claiming there had been recommendations for 180 gallantry awards for soldiers in Afghanistan, including six Victoria Crosses.

The news was given by "a senior Whitehall source" who explained just how tough the fighting had been and that the British were now winning against the Taliban.

Official spin of this kind frequently appears during controversial military campaigns. The line about six VCs for Helmand - "to be rushed through for Christmas," as the Telegraph added breathlessly - has an echo of the Lancashire Fusiliers' "Six VCs before Breakfast" for their assault on W Beach at Gallipoli on April 24, 1915.

The trouble is that, while there undoubtedly have been great acts of bravery in Afghanistan, the figures just don't add up.....

Read on at : tinyurl.com/qxo7m

[Anwaar]

Afghanistan: Why NATO cannot win

A British commander has been reported as telling the media, "The intensity and ferocity of the fighting is far greater than in Iraq on a daily basis."

By M K Bhadrakumar, Asia Times

Excerpts

....US Marine Corps General James Jones, NATO's supreme commander of operations, has admitted that the fierce resistance put up by the Taliban and the burgeoning insurgency has taken the alliance by surprise. NATO forces have realized that an all-out war is at hand, rather than the peacekeeping mission that was imagined earlier. New rules of engagement have been accordingly drawn up for NATO contingents deployed in the southern provinces of Afghanistan - and soon to be extended to the whole country, where US soldiers are reportedly to be put under NATO control......

.....The fatality rate of the 18,500-strong NATO force averages about five per week, which is roughly equal to the losses suffered by the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Indeed, in withering comments to The Sunday Telegraph newspaper last weekend, Soviet commanders who oversaw Moscow's disastrous campaign have predicted that the NATO forces will ultimately be forced to flee from Afghanistan......

General Boris Gromov, the charismatic Soviet commander who supervised the withdrawal in 1989, warned, "The Afghan resistance is, in my opinion, growing. Such behavior on the part of the intractable Afghans is to my mind understandable. It is conditioned by centuries of tradition, geography, climate and religion.

"We saw over a period of many years how the country was torn apart by civil war ... But in the face of outside aggressions, Afghans have always put aside their differences and united. Evidently, the [US-led] coalition forces are also being seen as a threat to the nation."

.....Without doubt, in the perceptions of regional powers, NATO's defeat in Afghanistan can only mean the scattering of the US blueprint of domination of Central Asia, South Asia and the Persian Gulf.

Read on at : tinyurl.com/zzgp2

[Anwaar]

NATO Chief Warns of Afghan Tipping Point

Sunday October 8, 2006 4:46 PM, Associated Press Writers

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - NATO's top commander in Afghanistan said Sunday the country was at a tipping point and warned Afghans would likely switch their allegiance to resurgent Taliban militants if there are no visible improvements in people's lives in the next six months.

Gen. David Richards, a British officer who commands NATO's 32,000 troops here, warned in an interview with The Associated Press that if life doesn't get better over the winter, most Afghans could switch sides.

``They will say, 'We do not want the Taliban but then we would rather have that austere and unpleasant life that that might involve than another five years of fighting,''' Richards said.

Afghanistan is going through its worst bout of violence since the U.S.-led invasion removed the former Taliban regime from power five years ago. The Taliban has made a comeback in the south and east of the country and is seriously threatening Western attempts to stabilize the country after almost three decades of war.

``If we collectively ... do not exploit this winter to start achieving concrete and visible improvement,'' then some 70 percent of Afghans could switch sides, Richards told The Associated Press.

Richards will command NATO's troops in Afghanistan, including 12,000 U.S. forces, until February, when U.S. Gen. Dan K. McNeil will take command.

The British general said he'd like to have about 2,500 additional troops to form a reserve battalion to help speed up reconstruction and development efforts.

The south of the country, where NATO troops have fought their most intense battles this year, has been ``broadly stabilized,'' Richards said.

``We have created an opportunity,'' following the intense fighting that left over 500 militants dead in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand, he said. ``If we do not take advantage of this, then you can pour an additional 10,000 troops next year and we would not succeed because we would have lost by then the consent of the people.''

Source : tinyurl.com/ep7c5