Axis of Logic
Finding Clarity in the 21st Century Mediaplex

Afghanistan
October 2009 CBS Broadcast: "Afghanistan - The Road Ahead"
By Television news report
CBS News (video). Axis of Logic (commentary)
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009

Editor's Note: In the October 5 video below, CBS reported on the defeat of U.S. forces by the Taliban in Afghanistan:

"The weekend's heavy losses highlight a problem the U.S. is struggling to deal with. Under the new strategy, American forces will abandon isolated combat outposts that are just too difficult to defend. The tragedy here is 8 U.S. soldiers died fighting for an outpost that was going to close down anyway .... The Taliban has 'a presence' in 80% of the country, up from 54% just two years ago."

Our translation of CBS terms:

  • CBS: "A problem the U.S. is struggling to deal with":
    Fact: The "problem" is otherwise known as "defeat".

  • CBS: "the new [US] strategy":
    Fact: The new strategy is sheer force, i.e. 30-40,000 more troops in Afghanistan. This militaristic approach reminds us again of Obama's campaign promises to abandon the brute force policies of the Bush regime and instead, to turn to a foreign policy of diplomacy, political engagement and one of "winning hearts and minds".

  • CBS: "abandon isolated combat outposts":
    Fact: Abandoning combat is otherwise known as "retreat".

  • "The Taliban has a presence in 80% of the country":
    Fact: The Taliban controls 80% of the Afghanistan.

Also See the recent statements published by the Taliban on their official website: Islamic Emirate of Aghanistan

- Axis of Logic