ISAF: No evidence to support Afghan torture allegations
posted at 12:41 pm on February 25, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
Not that we expected to find any, and it’s not just the Americans who are nonplussed at the allegations. The ISAF has yet to figure out what Hamid Karzai was talking about when he ordered Americans out of Wardak province, although the German general at ISAF pledged to work with Karzai’s government to discuss their concerns:
The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan has so far found no evidence to support Afghan allegations of misconduct by American special forces in a strategic eastern province, the alliance’s spokesman said on Monday.
German Gen. Gunter Katz said the International Security Assistance Force will work with the government to find a solution to the concerns of Afghans, but could not yet comment on the allegations that Afghans connected with U.S. special forces were involved in abuses that include torture, killings and illegal detentions. …
“We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and go to great lengths to determine the facts surrounding them,” Katz told reporters. “Over the past few weeks there have been various allegations of Special Forces conducting themselves in an unprofessional manner” in Wardak.
He added that “so far, we could not find evidence that would support these allegations.”
The allegations are not against US forces per se, but but local forces allied with them. Karzai’s government wants the US to cough up the identities of those forces, which presents the US with all sorts of problems in the region. The US has tried to put together an “Anbar Awakening” strategy in place, but that takes a great deal of trust between the US and tribal and community leaders — some of whom will surely not place much faith in the Afghan security forces’ ability to keep a secret. Pushing for those names will bring that strategy to an end, and the US might as well pack up and leave the region altogether anyway if they comply with Karzai for all the assistance we’ll receive.
There is another issue in play, too. The Karzai government wants to force an end to immunity for NATO troops accused of war crimes, in order to bring them to trial in Afghan courts. The same issue arose in Iraq in the last two years of our operations there, and became an insurmountable obstacle in establishing a permanent advisory/logistical force in that country. By accusing the US of complicity in war crimes in Wardak, Karzai is turning up the heat on this demand, which is going to make Barack Obama’s efforts to maintain a credible force in Afghanistan after 2014 a lot more difficult, if not impossible.
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It’s to the point of parody now. This morning he was talking about the North Dakota female Senator and the one from New Hampshire. A Dem and Repub who both released statements that their constituents back home flooded their phone lines and Schmoe is all “WHO CARES?! YOU CAN’T HANDLE THOSE PEOPLE?!”
I’ve lost all respect for Willie and Halperin who just sit there and mumbly whisper “Well maybe Obama should have worked harder….” and then let Schmoe continue to rant. Willie you are an ass who used to be quite Conservative when you were with Tucker Carlson.
Marcus on April 25, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Yes, I do.
I’d rather had 8 more years of Bush, than the cretin traitor (and wife) we have now. Both Bush’s were a class act compared to the present trash in the WH now.
avagreen on April 25, 2013 at 7:31 AM
No don’t miss you yet, take brother with you.
These Hotair tests are easier than I thought they would be.
Panther on April 25, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Mornin’.
annoyinglittletwerp on April 25, 2013 at 7:33 AM
Wow! You better hope HA grades on a curve with that kind of moronic ranting.
Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 7:35 AM
That’s because the Bush’s understood that the Presidency wasn’t all about them. The filthy grifters in the White House now are treating the Presidency as cult leader who has absolutely no accountablity to the Constitution, Congress, or the American people.
Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 7:38 AM
Marcus Willie and halperin make it tolerable most days
cmsinaz on April 25, 2013 at 7:39 AM
I miss him.
annoyinglittletwerp on April 25, 2013 at 7:40 AM
It will be interesting to see this edition of the gathering of the most exclusive club in the world. I suspect that the rat-eared coward and his grifter spouse will look awfully small among the adults and leaders that preceeded him.
Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 7:45 AM
I think of it like this…
When your starving..even a piece of bread looks scrumptious.
We are starving..
Laura and G Bush..I liked personally..seemed good people.
But i don’t miss him.
Rephrase the question- compared to what we have now..do you miss him?
Well duh..yes. I would take the bread over the molded ant covered cracker.
I actually like Laura better. Prob cuz she isn’t really a Bush.
And no…I don’t care for compassionate conservatism-
ya know..I like that un-compassionate conservative league /
h/t Jackie.
I was never a Bush fan..he got my vote.. same way McStupid did. Lesser evil.
I belive he cared and loves the USA- but I have no longing for him..
and have little great to same about his presidency. Again..compared to Zero- a diamond. Not the point though.
bazil9 on April 25, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Saw the photo op this morning. All I could think was, “The blind leading the blind. And it just seems to go from bad to worse.”
Cleombrotus on April 25, 2013 at 8:58 AM
As a conservative, no, George, I do not miss you. You are not a conservative. Your father gave us Clinton, and the damage you did to the Republican brand gave us obama. You are a decent person, but totally misguided with your compassionate conservatism. Your political cowardice, coupled with that of other politicians gave us the rogue agencies of DHS and TSA…we will never rid ourselves of these cancers. You signed a bill (Campaign Finance) that you openly stated you thought was unconstitutional. There are many more reason that I don’t miss you, but I want to keep this short. We are a country of over 300 million people. It is the height of arrogance for you to think we need your brother, another Bush, as President. We do not. Please just go away. Another Bush would eventually lead to our demise. You and your father, and I am sure, your brother are nothing but globalists. We do not need you running the country. Certainly, you were better than obama, anyone would be. Anyone who makes a comparison such as that to make your Presidency look better is a fool. Obviously I have strong feelings on this issue. Just go away.
rjh on April 25, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Stupid short term memory Americans. Carter shouldn’t have a higher approval rating than a forced enema with a porcupine.
LoganSix on April 25, 2013 at 11:30 AM
LoganSix on April 25, 2013 at 11:30 AM
+1
GT on April 25, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Certainly no one here would argue with your bonafides when it comes to expertise in have intimate knowledge of a “fool”.
williamg on April 25, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Certainly, you were better than obama, anyone would be. Anyone who makes a comparison such as that to make your Presidency look better is a fool. Obviously I have strong feelings on this issue. Just go away.
rjh on April 25, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Certainly no one here would argue with your bonafides when it comes to expertise in have intimate knowledge of a “fool”.
williamg on April 25, 2013 at 12:01 PM
I see you have not disputed anything in my comment. Name calling…great response.
rjh on April 25, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Voted for Obama
Either directly – or by voting for a “third party” candidate – which is THE SAME as voting for Obama
williamg on April 25, 2013 at 12:18 PM
Wait a minute – just exactly WHO was it that was engaging in “name calling“? Let’s review:
AH!!! – Yes, it was YOU who was “name calling” so, like any good liberal – you Projected Your Behavior on to ANYONE who did swear an oath of 100% fealty and agreement with you subsequent to YOUR Name Calling.
GOT IT! Thanks!
williamg on April 25, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Makes two of us…….
williamg on April 25, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Fool here. I do, too.
avagreen on April 25, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Wait a minute – just exactly WHO was it that was engaging in “name calling“? Let’s review:
Anyone who makes a comparison such as that to make your Presidency look better is a fool.
rjh on April 25, 2013 at 11:27 AM
AH!!! – Yes, it was YOU who was “name calling” so, like any good liberal – you Projected Your Behavior on to ANYONE who did swear an oath of 100% fealty and agreement with you subsequent to YOUR Name Calling.
GOT IT! Thanks!
williamg on April 25, 2013 at 12:24 PM
In addition to your lack of reasoning ability and immature use of name calling, you apparently also have a reading comprehension problem. The very first words of my post were: “As a conservative”. Anyone with any political awareness reading my comment should certainly be able to see that I am a conservative who is disgusted with the RINOs being served up as conservatives…yet you accuse me of being a liberal. I guarantee you, I am at least as conservative as anyone on this site. Do you often construct these little false realities in your head to fit your opinion? I have obviously offended a Bush fanboy. I have no more time to waste on you…respond or not, I will not react to your nonsensical comments any further.
rjh on April 26, 2013 at 3:12 PM
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