Posted by Wymark on 10/24/2009, 2:56 pm
82.23.179.222
'Nearly all of the insurgents battling US and NATO troops in Afghanistan are not religiously motivated Taliban and Al Qaeda warriors, but a new generation of tribal fighters vying for control of territory, mineral wealth, and smuggling routes'.
And:
'the mostly ethnic Pashtun fighters are often deeply connected by family and social ties to the valleys and mountains where they are fighting, and they see themselves as opposing the United States be cause it is an occupying power, the officials and analysts said'.
And:
'there is also simply a strong desire to repel foreign invaders, US officials believe, which may be harder to overcome. They are fighting “more out of xenophobia than Islamic fundamentalism,’’ said a defense official with access to the latest intelligence assessments on Afghanistan'.
Full article here.
So they're overwhelmingly not Taliban-esque Islamists, and are more motivated by money, mineral wealth and simple opposition to occupation than they are by religion. Or, as U.S. Intelligence call it, 'xenophobia'. Like not wanting your country to be occupied and subjugated by a coalition of brutal and murderous foreign military powers can fairly be called 'xenophobic'.
Anyway, here's *Dialogue* Of The Week:
Afghan: Stopping bombing me and shooting at me, you bastards!
U.S./British Soldier: F*ckin' xenophobe!
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