In reaction to Afghan charges that US forces are careless about civilian casualties in engagements, the US forces are being almost painfully careful these days. <\/p>\n
The rules of engagement are changing to reflect this concern for civilian casualties along with the new US commander according to an Associated Press<\/a> article;<\/p>\n McChrystal will issue orders within days saying troops may attack insurgents hiding in Afghan houses if U.S. or NATO forces are in imminent danger, said U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Greg Smith.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if there is a compound they\u2019re taking fire from and they can remove themselves from the area safely, without any undue danger to the forces, then that\u2019s the option they should take,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBecause in these compounds we know there are often civilians kept captive by the Taliban.\u201d<\/p>\n McChrystal\u2019s predecessor, Army Gen. David McKiernan, issued rules last fall that told commanders to set conditions \u201cto minimize the need to resort to deadly force.\u201d<\/p>\n But McChrystal\u2019s orders will be more precise and have stronger language ordering forces to break off from battles, Smith said. The order should have the effect of reducing the use of airstrikes, mortars and artillery in villages.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The following video from Fox News<\/a>‘ Steve Harrigan demonstrates how careful. It takes an Apache pilot ten minutes to get clearance to fire. WARNING: The video is pretty graphic<\/strong>; <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It seems to me that the best strategy for the enemy to take advantage of this new weakness is to move back into urban areas and surround themselves with civilian shields. Now, I’m no expert, but then neither are the Taliban. It also seems to me that it will cause more civilian deaths because the Taliban casn use photos of civilians they themselves killed and blame it on Americans. <\/p>\n JD Johannes<\/a>, Uncle Jimbo<\/a> and McQ <\/a>all have opinions on the new ROE.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"