'US Tests "Ink Spot" Strategy in Afghanistan', The Washington Times, 12 November 2009
EXCERPT: "U.S. forces are testing a modified strategy dubbed 'ink spots' in which coalition forces pick certain districts to flood with reconstruction projects and permanently defend from Taliban insurgents. In Logar province, 50 miles south of Kabul, a newly arrived contingent of U.S. and Czech troops is putting the ink-spot idea into practice. 'I don't have enough troops to cover every square inch,' said Lt. Col. Thomas Gukeisen, commander of roughly 1,000 soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, deployed to Logar early this year alongside a Czech army reconstruction team. The concept, in part, reflects anticipation that the Obama administration is leaning toward deployments of fewer than the 40,000 extra troops reportedly sought by top commander Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal."
Read the full article.
Related articles:
'Afghanistan wary of US plan to send more advisers', The Boston Globe, 12 November 2009
'US envoy urges caution on forces for Afghanistan', The New York Times, 11 November 2009
'The big impact of small footprints', Foreign Policy, 11 November 2009
'Will the UN’s withdrawal cancel out the US’s civilian surge?', Center for American Progress, 9 November 2009
Related posts:
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'Gates cites caveats to possible US buildup', 13 August 2009
'A comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan', 22 September 2009
'Beyond the surge: Policy options for Afghanistan', 22 July 2009
'The dynamics of the "AfPak" conflict: Metrics and status report', 1 July 2009
