Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Outer Ring

My Jane's email updates confirms one aspect of my view on the upcoming surge-enabled Afghanistan campaign, stating:

Changes in US and Afghan tactics in Kunar, one of Afghanistan's most 'kinetic' provinces, have resulted in more contact with the enemy following the introduction of a battalion-sized element from the US 10th Mountain Division in January. Task Force Duke Commander Colonel John M Spiszer of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, told Jane's in late March that the focus in Kunar had shifted to border interdiction[.]


Border interdiction is far more important in Afghanistan than in Iraq where arms, recruits, and money inside the country were in plentiful supply.