Afghanistan is going to hell, so when will France and Germany man up?

[Farnan]

So when will France and Germany man up in Afghanistan and realize this isn't some meaningless war and that they as major European and world powers need to contribute their forces, and not just to babysit Kabul.

Tiny Denmark has contributed more than these European giants, and the Netherlands have done thier part. Tiny Albania is willing to allow its troops to engage in combat operations, but mighty France and Germany are not. This is not French or German bashing, you're militaries are powerful just use them to defeat an enemy in a conflict that is the most black and white war since WWII.

[mrmouth]

Does it even have to do with public opinion any longer?

France has manned up a bit. They have pledged a battalion sized force to the south, 200-400 of which were to be sof. According to heir own numbers though, they haven been deployed yet. They take their defnese of Kabul seriously, and its a difficult job, but they can do so much more.

Seems like a perfect excuse for Germany to ditch the whole non use of offensive force thing and maybe put WW2 a bit further in the rear view.

[Chipp]

Yes I agree. It is absolutely unfair that smaller countries such as Canada, Netherlands and even Albania must bear the weight of trying to stabilize Afghanistan. Afghanistan is NOT Iraq and the invasion was generally supported throughout the international community. Germany and France must step up to the plate.

[boofhead]

It hasn't gone to hell yet. Australian Special Forces will take them all on. And win. And then do it again. Taliban ing scum.

[danzig]

It hasn't gone to hell yet. Australian Special Forces will take them all on. And win. And then do it again. Taliban ing scum.

Just not enough of you though...come on stop slacking and start breeding you damn aussies Seriously though France and Germany needs to step up, it is getting a bit stupid now. With Iraq (hopefully) winding down we can probably see US funnel some troops there but really need a more immediate impact.

[Thompson45cal.]

It hasn't gone to hell yet. Australian Special Forces will take them all on. And win. And then do it again. Taliban ing scum.

Rock on you baddasss aussie...... I wanna be on your team.

Way I figure it, the Afghanistan debacle never should have got to this point.
That was an america endeavor that should have and could have been successfull, except a pack o' idiots wanted to invade Iraq.....

[Thanatos]

It hasn't gone to hell yet. Australian Special Forces will take them all on. And win. And then do it again. Taliban ing scum.

I would like to say that I highly respect the fighting capabilities of the Australians, and always will. You guys helped us immensely in Vietnam, and I for one am glad you are assisting us once more in Afghanistan.

[Joker85]

I would like to say that I highly respect the fighting capabilities of the Australians, and always will. You guys helped us immensely in Vietnam, and I for one am glad you are assisting us once more in Afghanistan.

Along with the South Koreans, they both had higher K/D ratios in nam than the US. Good fighters.

[André Masséna]

It does get rather frustrating when your allies that are capable of really helping you out put forth the bare minimum, and your other allies who are much less strong put so much more into the fight.

Good on Albania and the like, BOO to Germany and France....when are they going to stop playing Politics with us and realize that Afghanistan is worth the effort?

[boofhead]

Good on Albania and the like, BOO to Germany and France....when are they going to stop playing Politics with us and realize that Afghanistan is worth the effort?

True. What nation will allow Taliban to regain control of Afghanistan, treat the people like shite, and then export terrorism and heroin to our countries? The average Afghan hates their guts. It's just not going to happen, ever. It can't be allowed to, and the nations that realize this are putting some of their people on the line. The nations that sit back and watch and make unworthy moral judgements will be judged themselves when all is said and done.

Some nations need to man up. It's a just war if ever there was one.

Just not enough of you though...come on stop slacking and start breeding you damn aussies

1 Aussie is worth 500 Taliban . No you are right. I'd go myself if I wasn't deemed too old. Arm me up I'm on my way.

[Amadeus]

well germany really isn't allowed to comit troops into a foreign war.
since WWII germany may only use its army for defensive purposes and sending its army into afghanistan is an offensive act
and the french never commit troops other thant their foreign legion which is badass

[Farnan]

well germany really isn't allowed to comit troops into a foreign war.
since WWII germany may only use its army for defensive purposes and sending its army into afghanistan is an offensive act
and the french are too wimpy and they never commit troops other thant their foreign legion which is badass

Ummm there are German troops in Afghanistan they just aren't allowed to be used where they are needed most, and thanks to the attack on the World Trade Center this is not an offensive war...

And enough French bashing, that is not the purpose.

[Amadeus]

germany has to be careful cause people are quick to forget that WWII ended 60+ years ago. also the World Trade Center attacks were led by the Taliban r a terrorist organization not a nation and thus invading a country is an offensive act and germany as written in its constitution (written mainly by the allies) may not partake in a war unless german lives are at stake. And the german troops in Afghanistan are there illegaly its just nobody cares.

and the French have a history of not commiting troops other then their Foreign legion which is probably one of the best infantry regiments in the world.

but i agree germany and france have to do more i'd just hate to see germany invovled in an international affair because they didn't follow a law written by angry american soldiers 60 years ago

[Farnan]

germany has to be careful cause people are quick to forget that WWII ended 60+ years ago. also the World Trade Center attacks were led by the Taliban r a terrorist organization not a nation and thus invading a country is an offensive act and germany as written in its constitution (written mainly by the allies) may not partake in a war unless german lives are at stake. And the german troops in Afghanistan are there illegaly its just nobody cares.

and the French have a history of not commiting troops other then their Foreign legion which is probably one of the best infantry regiments in the world.

Umm... the Taliban were the government in Afghanistan, and Al Qaeda was the power behind the government. And Germany is not being asked to invade anyone, but to defend the government of Afghanistan.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...062400099.html

This is a start, now release them from there extremely limited mandate and we can put them to boost efforts in Helmand and elsewhere they are needed most.

[Luxchamp]

imho the idea of sending european troops into afghanistan is idiotic

[bushbush]

canada is sending most of its active army to Afganistan.

i honestly think France should do A LOT more. Just my opinion.

[Otsman]

france and germany won't attack until an act of terrorism hits their country, they simply just don't understand.

[André Masséna]

france and germany won't attack until an act of terrorism hits their country, they simply just don't understand.

Sarkozy might...a lot more than can be said for Chirac

[boofhead]

I would LOVE to see Germans fighting alongside their former enemies, i.e. the US and Commonwealth nations. United, with a common cause. What a great day that would be! It would do a great deal towards healing old wounds. I'd love to see the Japanese there too in a combat role.

As far as the French.....mmmmm......I'll be quiet, but at least the French Foreign Legion could go and kick some ass!

[Yorkshireman]

As far as the French.....mmmmm......I'll be quiet, but at least the French Foreign Legion could go and kick some ass!

Let's be blunt about this, the French despise the Americans and British (they've always hated us!) because they had to rely on the US/British forces to liberate their country in WW2. A proud, historical, traditionally military country, forever talking about Napoleon, collapsed within a few weeks and surrenderd their capital without a shot. 2 days later the pavement cafes re-opened full of madmoiselles sat with their whermacht boyfriends.

The Free French government sat in England at the whim of the British government and they re-entered their country under US command. They had to rely totally upon the Anglo-Saxons for their salvation. They still have'nt forgotten this.

Harsh but possibly true.