Terrorist attacks in Afghanistan have reached a four-year high. Roadside bombings are becoming more common and more sophisticated. Insurgents are utilizing "shaped" explosives capable of destroying armored vehicles and setting them off with high-tech remote-control devices, and they are taking a growing toll. Already, 82 U.S. service members have died there this year — a 58% increase over last year.
Today's Washington Post:
In several incidents of serious violence Tuesday, a U.S. soldier and a U.S. Marine were killed in separate attacks by insurgents, U.S. military officials said, and an Afghan candidate for parliament was shot to death by unidentified gunmen....The deaths brought the number of U.S. forces killed in combat in Afghanistan this year to 53.
So, 82 vs. 53. I'm guessing that the discrepancy is accounted for by non-combat deaths. But still, if Boot is going to talk about the strength of the insurgency, shouldn't he stick to the number of soldiers killed in actual combat?
No comments:
Post a Comment