Suspicion rises between Western advisers, Afghans

[dipsydoodle]

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- "Shoulder to shoulder" is the mantra of the NATO-Afghan military partnership. Now, after Afghan soldiers and police turned their guns on their foreign partners during outrage over the Quran burnings, even Western advisers - not just combat troops - are looking over their shoulders.

The deepening distrust is jeopardizing the U.S.-led coalition's strategy of training Afghan security forces and helping government workers so that international troops can go home.

The advisers do a variety of jobs. While some focus on the battlefield, others pore over geological surveys, lure outside investors or make sure that key mountain passes are clear of snow. They work closely with their Afghan counterparts to build a government strong enough to fend off threats and attacks from the Taliban and other militants trying to destabilize their country.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN_BROKEN_TRUST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-03-07-03-23-54

For "fend off threats and attacks from the Taliban and other militants trying to destabilize their country" maybe read their own population.
"

[DCKit]

1. But it worked so well in Vietnam.

Those ungrateful bastards.