U.S. commander: Taliban forces growing near Kabul

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 28 (Reuters) - The Taliban has infiltrated an area of Afghanistan once seen by the United States and NATO as secure, boosting ranks and giving fighters strategic access to Kabul, a U.S. commander said on Thursday.

U.S. Army Col. Jonathan Ives, responsible for operations in five provinces in northeastern Afghanistan, said the Taliban had boosted recruiting in part of Kapisa, about 30 km (19 miles) north of the capital city.

"What we've seen is an escalation of force in there from about 50 to 200 -- about fourfold -- this year," Ives told reporters by videolink from Bagram Air Base near Kabul.

He said the area had been "somewhat ignored" by coalition and Afghan security forces.

"We thought that it was safe and secure in this province and so we considered it to be a non-threat area and so we didn't apply or maintain a security force," Ives said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28303581.htm

Let me check my calendar ...

are like the reports that the remaining Roman Legion commanders were sending back to Rome as it was nearing the end.

the only question is whether it was a mistake or he's making money off it.