France to commit 80 more troops to NATO forces in Afghanistan, far below expectations

[myp]

France announced today that it would contribute 80 troops to NATO forces in Afghanistan. The news came as a disappoint to some countries, namely the US, which expected around 1000. France was expected to contribute more in light of troop removals from Kosovo, but French President Nicholas Sarkozy is facing political pressure due to growing French casualties.

Full story here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...hatsNewsSecond

Thoughts?

[deanhills]

Originally Posted by myp

France announced today that it would contribute 80 troops to NATO forces in Afghanistan. The news came as a disappoint to some countries, namely the US, which expected around 1000. France was expected to contribute more in light of troop removals from Kosovo, but French President Nicholas Sarkozy is facing political pressure due to growing French casualties.

Full story here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...hatsNewsSecond

Thoughts?

I'm confused. I thought they already had troops in Afghanistan, so does this then mean 80 additional troops?

[myp]

Originally Posted by deanhills

I'm confused. I thought they already had troops in Afghanistan, so does this then mean 80 additional troops?

Yes, this was for additional troops committed to the NATO forces, which are under the control of U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

[deanhills]

Originally Posted by myp

Yes, this was for additional troops committed to the NATO forces, which are under the control of U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

This is probably going to sound a little glib, but for me it is probably a bonus to have less than more French troops. Towards the end of 2008 when they had to take over a post that had been vacated by the Italians, they assumed that it was a harmless post, because the Italians did not have much along the lines of engagement in the area. What had happened, without the French knowledge is that the Italians had paid some of the Taliban lords to be at peace. So when they left, they forgot to tell the French, and the French did not do any of their homework properly. I believe the Americans warned the French, they did not listen, and quite a number of French soldiers died as a consequence. Think the war effort in Afghanistan would be better off without the French and the Italians. Given this major bloomer. Source

[David]

Originally Posted by deanhills

This is probably going to sound a little glib, but for me it is probably a bonus to have less than more French troops. Towards the end of 2008 when they had to take over a post that had been vacated by the Italians, they assumed that it was a harmless post, because the Italians did not have much along the lines of engagement in the area. What had happened, without the French knowledge is that the Italians had paid some of the Taliban lords to be at peace. So when they left, they forgot to tell the French, and the French did not do any of their homework properly. I believe the Americans warned the French, they did not listen, and quite a number of French soldiers died as a consequence. Think the war effort in Afghanistan would be better off without the French and the Italians. Given this major bloomer. Source

What do you expect from the French?

[GOP]

Originally Posted by David

What do you expect from the French?

My thoughts exactly! I don't really see the use of them in NATO at all.

[deanhills]

Originally Posted by David

What do you expect from the French?

Their best contribution would be no contribution. Alll they do is to distract other people who are better prepared especially as far as safety and security is concerned. Ditto Italians.

[GOP]

Originally Posted by deanhills

Their best contribution would be no contribution. Alll they do is to distract other people who are better prepared especially as far as safety and security is concerned. Ditto Italians.

I am actually rather found of the Italians. Silvio Berlusconi for some reason fascinates me. But I think Italians just wants to live their own lives on their boot!

But the French on the other hand, I view them as arrogant to both the United States and Britain.

[David]

Originally Posted by GOP

I am actually rather found of the Italians. Silvio Berlusconi for some reason fascinates me. But I think Italians just wants to live their own lives on their boot!

But the French on the other hand, I view them as arrogant to both the United States and Britain.

We should of let the Germans keep them after the war.

[GOP]

Haha, well I am sure Europe wouldn't really have been the same without an independent France either.