This past week the U.S. death toll in Afghanistan passed the 1,000 mark. Over a third of those deaths took place last year, by far the bloodiest year of the war. With 54 U.S. service people dead in the first two months of 2010, we are on track for another near-record year, but you really can’t tell what’s going to happen down the road based on the last month. Things could get much better. They could get a lot worse. It’s going to be a critical year, no doubt about it.
Of course, Americans aren’t the only ones dying there. Of every 10 Coalition combat deaths in Afghanistan, 60% (1007) are U.S., 15% (266) are British, and the remaining 25% (394) are divided among 24 other Coalition nations. Among the other nations, Canada has the highest death toll (140) followed by France (40). Afghan casualties are hard to pin down, but the UN estimates somewhat over 6,000 civilian deaths to date.
Here’s a link to a detailed breakdown of coalition casualties in Afghanistan.
On a related note, eight U.S. service personnel have died so far in Iraq this year. That’s about eight more than I’m comfortable with, but it’s a big improvement over a year ago.
And on a personal note, Let me congratulate my friend Timothy Broome on celebrating his 22nd year in military service and his safe return from a tour in Iraq. Welcome home, pal, and thanks for your service.
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Jacques said:
Yes well the wheel she turnith i cannot see how the Taliban can ever be defeated in Afghanistan with neighbouring Pakistans tribal regions offering them safe haven.How can they be defeated with many of the populance beign brain washed by radical Islam.You cannot exterminate the whole radical civilian population can you no.So i would rather concentrate on making America secure against Radical Islam threats at home because as this fight is going its Vietnam even worse all over again.And will go on and on especially with amidinajad forgive wrong spelling ruling Iran with an iron fisted rule.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Frank Chadwick said:
Jacques,
I agree that there are stronger parallels between Afghanistan and Vietnam than many are willing to face up to. As I’ve said here before, we cannot win the war. That does not mean we are doomed to lose, however. The outcome, much as it makes us uncomfortable to admit, is largely in the hands of other people. I suspect that what the Pakistanis, Taliban, and Kabul government do will have more to do with the final outcome than will our actions.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:51 pm