U.S. Marines of Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment exit a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan after turning over their forward operating base to U.S. Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment on Nov. 17, 2008. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)From Strategy Page:
November 20, 2008: The growing number of American troops with operating experience in Afghanistan has led to a style of war that is not fully appreciated by the brass back home (or sitting in Kabul). Thus we have silly situations where generals in Kabul and Washington insist that all U.S. troops (except, grudgingly, the Special Forces) be clean shaven. But out in the hills, where American commanders on their second or third combat tour, now that Afghans are more comfortable dealing with bearded foreigners. It's just a cultural thing. So the captains and colonels ignore the beards, while their bosses don't.
In an unusual event in Afghan history, many Afghans want to work with the foreign soldiers, not kill and rob them. The ROE (Rules of Engagement) and reconstruction efforts have impressed Afghans. The former spares the lives of Afghan civilians, and the latter makes their lives better. Despite the Taliban skill at playing the media whenever an Afghan civilian is killed by foreign troops (usually while being used as a human shield by bandits or Taliban), most Afghans want peace and prosperity and to be left alone. While peace and prosperity are nice, they have been rare events in Afghan history. Being left alone is a more immediate survival skill. This is why, out in the hills, so many people appear to live in little fortresses, carry weapons, and be quick to use them against outsiders (anyone from outside the valley or tribe).
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My Comment: A well written post on what is not reported in Afghanistan.