http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0425/p01s03-wosc.html

“Washington – The Pentagon is considering whether it should push to change the NATO mission in volatile southern Afghanistan to give the US greater control in the fight against a growing Taliban threat.

The move is one of many being assessed as fears rise that the collective effort of NATO forces there lacks coherence. The Taliban’s comeback over the past two years has been marked by a spike in suicide bombings and other violence – at the same time that critics say the complex command structure governing NATO and US forces has stifled combat and reconstruction efforts.

American officials see a possible answer in modeling the southern region after the east, which falls under NATO but is led by a subordinate US command and viewed as relatively successful.”

Also,

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-04-27-afghan-marines_N.htm

“HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S. Marines are crossing the sands of southern Afghanistan for the first time in years, providing a boost to a NATO coalition that is growing but still short on manpower.
Some of the 2,300 Marines that make up the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit helped to tame a thriving insurgency in western Iraq.”

If only the brits would get out of the way so that things will get done in Helmand.

The brits have failed miserably in this war, while bragging themselves up all the while and deriding and insulting the US military.

Finally, the US commanders, both in Iraq and Afghanistan, are speaking up and criticizing the brits performance and the brits – who regard themselves as ainfallable and are not to be criticized – will never forgive America for criticizing them and above all, the will never forgive the US for succeeding while the brits have failed, the only “ally” that has been defeated in this war. Both in Iraq and Afghanistan (the surrender at Musa Qala and some five other districts in Helmand)
So, the brits will do all they can to sabotage the US war effort. They will also claim credit for all the US victories and successes (which they always do) The world media, much of it controlled by the brits and other w. europeans, will continue to give them credit for US victories. (like the recapture of Musa Qala, which was primarily the work of the 82nd Airborne Division, but already the following day was declared a “bittish victory”),

The only thing to do is to give Lt. Gen. Odierno a well-deserved fifth star, send him to Afghanistan, make him supreme commander of all foreign forces there, similar to General Petraeus in Iraq. He knows COIN inside and out.

Mr.Hooah! here. I probably shouldn’t do this but I just can’t help myself. I have to post. Maybe if I keep it short then the Misses won’t notice, eh?
I keep up with the comings and goings around Afghanistan just as a side interest. Af…

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often….