You must have heard that the Pentagon has admitted roughly a third of the weapons provided to train and equip Iraqi forces have been "lost." According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, some 190,000 assault rifles and pistols supplied to Iraqi security forces have gone missing, presumably in the hands of insurgents.
Some 135,000 pieces of body armour and 115,000 helmets also have vanished. To date the US has spent more than $19bn developing Iraqi security forces, including nearly $3bn on weapons. The GAO report said distribution of the weaponry was "haphazard and rushed" and failed to follow established procedures. The Pentagon does not dispute these accusations.
The conflict in Iraq has now lasted longer than the First World War. Patrick Cockburn writes in The Independent, London that six months after George Bush sent in 20,000 extra troops, Iraq is more chaotic and dangerous than ever. Read his special report here.
Even when things are planned and coordinated (to some extent at least) like equipping and strengthening the ANA in Afghanistan - there seems to be a moment in which people stop thinking straight. Right now they are re-arming the illegally armed groups that were disarmed (cough) under the DDR process in order to use these groups to help fight the Taliban. From a human rights point of view it is a disaster, but surely from a security point of view it also brings more risks then benefits?
Posted by: Frida | 09 August 2007 at 04:31
It's completely unacceptable and yet....
Posted by: robyn | 07 August 2007 at 21:24
One is tempted to say: "duh!" because none of this comes as a surprise.
Posted by: Colette | 07 August 2007 at 19:13
Though he looks familiar, I have to admit I don't know. I look forward to finding out though - you will let us know, I hope! XO
Posted by: tinker | 07 August 2007 at 12:03