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There’s a document on Wikileaks about the Afghani insurgency called HB 9 Paramilitary Terrorist Insurgent Groups, dated 1st March 2009. See it here or via this page.
It purports to be a leaked US ‘Intelligence’ document, prepared by FOUOUS Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) G-2TRADOC Intelligence Support Activity (TRISA) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The name of the alleged source has the ring of authenticity. It’s exactly the type of ridiculous, long-winded, acronymn-laded title the US Army would invent for itself.
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It’s hard for me to know what to make of the document from this distance, so I’ll just venture a couple of comments.
First, if it’s an authentic document, it suggests that the Americans and their dwindling allies have Vietnam Two on their hands. By November 2008, it says, the area under full control of the Western-backed Karzai Government had shrunk to a few small enclaves. Insurgents hold sway throughout most of Afghanistan.
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Second, if it’s an authentic document, it reveals a childish naiveté which helps explain how a once-mighty nation has come so close to being the laughing stock of the world.
It’s more like a teenage scrapbook than an official ‘Intelligence’ document. I guess it might work as a motivational Powerpoint Presentation for rookies. Images of the ‘enemy’ are dreadfully scary (more accurately, several discrete but interlocking groups of enemies are discussed).
If forced to choose now between true or false, I’d opt for the document being bogus – probably leaked by ‘Intelligence’ operatives. If it’s genuine, heaven help official American intelligence – and heaven help us, the world’s people, over whom these folk have such inordinate power.
Leaks are all very well. But the art of anonymous leaking as deliberate disinformation is highly evolved.
Ultimately, there’s no substitute for Open Government, Free Speech, Freedom of Information and Honest Debate.
Purportedly a US 'Intelligence' Map of the Afganistan Insurgency, Nov 2008
