In Afghanistan, Part Two

(Part two of two) - Today, nearly eight years after the initial invasion of Afghanistan, the country remains unstable at best, and the U.S. is now pouring thousands of new troops into the country, joining the international coalition to combat the Taliban insurgency. This year, bomb attacks on coalition troops have reached an all-time high - at least 46 American troops killed by IEDs this year, part of the larger figure of 1,249 coalition deaths to date. On June 25th, U.S. officials announced the launch of Operation Khanjar - 4,000 U.S. Marines and hundreds of NATO and Afghan forces pushing into various parts of Helmand province attempting to secure the area ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election next month. Consider this entry a double-issue - there has been so much powerful photography coming out of Afghanistan the past few months, I had a very hard time editing down to just these, recent photographs from Afghanistan. (see part 1) (32 photos total)

Members of the security detail for Karl Eikenberry, US Ambassador to Afghanistan, stand in front of a U.S. army Chinook helicopter as it lands near a newly constructed bridge south of Tarin Kot, in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan July 9, 2009. (REUTERS/Tim Wimborne)

An aerial view shows a neighborhood on the outskirts of Kandahar city June 4, 2009. (REUTERS/Jorge Silva) #

Afghan women visit a cemetery in Kabul June 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Ahmad Masood) #

British army Corporal Sandra Jordan, exercises at Camp Bastion, Britain's largest base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, at sundown, Wednesday June 3, 2009. Jordan is a ward nurse at the camp hospital, where British and coalition force troops, Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, as well as civilians and enemy casualties are treated. (AP Photo/Jon Bevan, Ministry of Defence) #

An Afghan woman works on a form of embroidery called Khamak at Kandahar Treasure facilities in Kandahar city, June 14, 2009. Kandahar Treasure, a non-profit project of the Afghans for Civil Society which started out in 2003, employs women artisans from the Kandahar area in order to develop more economic opportunities. (REUTERS/Jorge Silva) #

Romanian and U.S. military personnel, bottom right, share a table and check their email as they relax in a recreational and retail area called The Boardwalk Monday, June 29, 2009, at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) #

Afghans stand around the crater caused by a bomb blast in Mohammad Agha district on the main road from Kabul to Logar province, Afghanistan, Thursday, July 9, 2009. The blast killed 25 people including 13 primary school students, destroying shops and scattering pieces of the vehicle that carried the explosives over a huge area, police said. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq) #

An iPod music player is attached to the tactical vest of a U.S. soldier of 3rd Platoon from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division as he drives to the site of a roadside bomb explosion in the mountains of Wardak Province in Afghanistan July 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov) #

A French army soldier of the 8th Artillery Regiment takes part in a joint patrol with U.S and Afghan troops in a village in Kharuti, in the mountains of Wardak Province in Afghanistan July 16, 2009. Picture taken through a night vision device. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov) #

A U.S Marine missile from the 2nd MEB strikes a Taliban position inside a mud walled compound near Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province Saturday June 20, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

U.S Marines from the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines battle Taliban fighters inside a mud walled compound near Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province Saturday June 20, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

U.S Marine Daniel Hinther of Helena, Montana, with the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines throws a hand grenade during close quarter battle with Taliban fighters inside a mud walled compound near Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province Saturday June 20, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

U.S Marine John Daly, right, of Collingdale, Pennsylvania, with the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines is helped by a fellow Marine after injuring his ankle in a fall when Taliban fighters opened fire on him and his squad during a gun battle near Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province Saturday June 20, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

A U.S. army gunner flies in a Chinook helicopter over Kandahar city, June 4, 2009. (REUTERS/Jorge Silva) #

DJ Ashiqullah works at the Garmsir radio station in Helmand province July 7, 2009. The DJs of Radio Garmsir in Afghanistan's lower Helmand River valley knew their station had touched a nerve when the letters started pouring in. First a few, then more, and pretty soon 20 to 30 letters per day, hand delivered to a box outside the NATO base where they broadcast deep into Taliban territory from a desk in a tiny bunker. The letters showed what listeners are aching to hear most is music, banned as un-Islamic by the Taliban. (REUTERS/Ahmad Masood) #

In this photograph taken on June 8, 2009, Taliban fighters sit on the ground in a prison after their arrest during the joint Operation Tofan, involving the Afghan National Army and NATO forces, in the Balamurghab district of north western Badghis province. (REZA SHIRMOHAMMADI/AFP/Getty Images) #

U.S. Marines from the 2nd MEB, 1st Battalion 5th Marines arrive at a compound to sleep for the night in a town in the Nawa district of Afghanistan's Helmand province Monday July 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

U.S. Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 1st Battalion 5th Marines temporarily occupy an abandoned mud walled farm compound in the Nawa district of Afghanistan's Helmand province Friday, July 10, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

U.S. Marine Sergeant Nathan Harris from Yadkinville, North Carolina (center) with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, RCT 2nd Battalion 8th Marines Echo Co. speaks to an Afghan man through a Marine interpreter (left) after seeing suspicious activity near their base on July 14, 2009 in Mian Poshteh, Afghanistan. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) #

A U.S. soldier of 2nd Platoon from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division looks out of an Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) before departing for a night patrol at Combat Operation Outpost (COP) Conlon in the mountains of Wardak Province in Afghanistan in this July 8, 2009 picture. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov) #

U.S. Marines from the 2nd MEB, 1st Battalion 5th Marines are illuminated by a fire in which they burned their trash, as they settle in for the night in an abandoned compound in the Nawa district in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Saturday, July 5, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

Afghan National police and U.S. Marines make a joint patrol through the town of Golestan in Afghanistan's Farah Province on June 13, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

A US Marine of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade runs to safety moments after an IED blast in Garmsir district of Helmand Province in Afghanistan on July 13, 2009. Two US Marine soldiers were killed when the explosion occured as they tried to clear a route into the Taliban heartland of southern Helmand province. (MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Displaced Pashtun women and children gather together for a meeting under a highway bridge near the village of Kafta Khana, Baghlan province of northern Afghanistan, Thursday, July 9, 2009. Hundreds of Pashtuns were forced to leave their original villages by local Tajiks within Baghlan province. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky) #

A view of the mountain that once held giant Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 in Bamiyan, central Afghanistan, seen on June 17, 2009. In an attempt to return one small part of the country to normalcy government officials and international donors are promoting tourism to attract visitors to the Bamiyan area. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) #

U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Addison Chipoletti from Tampa, Florida of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, RCT 2nd Battalion 8th Marines Echo Co. uses makeshift equipment to work out on July 11, 2009 in Mian Poshteh, Afghanistan. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) #

In this photo taken on Monday, June 1, 2009, a fellow soldier holds the hand of U.S. Pfc. Anthony Vandegrift, of Mililani, Hawaii, as he tells him the names of three of their comrades that were killed in the attack that injured him at the U.S. hospital in Bagram Air base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Vandegrift, of Bravo Company 287, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, was wounded and three other soldiers died when the vehicle they were driving was hit by a roadside bomb in the Nerkh district of Wardak province. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) #

U.S. Marine Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson from Bellplain, Minnesota of the 2nd Marine Exhibitionary Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines Echo Company shows Afghan police recruits the proper shooting position when firing a weapon during a training session on June 27, 2009 in Delaram, Afghanistan. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) #

An Afghan woman looks at merchandise at a burqa shop in Herat in western Afghanistan July 2, 2009. Burqa seller Nehmatullah Yusefy's (not in picture) sales at the shop have dropped 50 percent since the Taliban were toppled in 2001 and he says he will soon need to start stocking competing styles of Islamic dress to make up for lost profits. Picture taken July 2, 2009. (REUTERS/ Mohammad Shoiab) #

U.S. Marine Albert Rivas from San Juan, Puerto Rico and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade sits outside his tent at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan's Helmand province Tuesday June 9, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

U.S Marines from the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines walk from their base near Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province on their way to visit the nearby village of Khwaja Jamal to meet with the local population on Monday June 22, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

Sixteen-month-old Aubrey Melton reaches for her father, SSG Josh Melton, as she views his body with her mother Larissa before his funeral service on June 27, 2009 in Germantown, Illinois. SSG Melton, who was serving in Afghanistan with the Illinois National Guard, was killed in Kandahar during an IED attack on June 19. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) #

More links and information

In Afghanistan, Part One - The Big Picture, 7/17

Warning From General on End to Afghan Combat - NYTimes.com, 7/15

Afghan DJs play tunes, break hearts in Taliban country - Reuters, 7/7

Afghanistan - NYTimes.com Topics page

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@fritz: "The Taliban never attacked America." You @replied to me yet answered none of my arguments. I think I demonstrated quite clearly that, in any practical or realistic sense, the Taliban attacked America. "The only reason for one country to attack another should be in defense" - that's what we did here. (I am making no defense here for our prosecution of the war, simply justifying our initial goal of ousting the Taliban as it existed at the time.)

Posted by ech July 19, 09 12:21 PM

Awesome photos....emotional and shows the reality of war. It speaks to the idea that maybe we should talk to our perceived enemies to find common ground and not let ideology and military might rule our thinking. Thank you for the thoughtful photos.

Posted by Jaime July 19, 09 12:27 PM

Be honest, the only succes of this war that keeps on goin for years now is that Saddam Hussein was removed from power. Osama Bin laden's whereabouts are still unknown and most soldiers are only busy protecting themselves fomr the locals.

This was has to end asap. Americans, get out of there! It's not worth the cost of life and money!

Posted by Wim July 19, 09 12:32 PM

Who supplies the Taliban with weapons, ammunition, food, petrol, etc ??
War is horrifying and these pictures just bring the whole story home so well.
The world needs to find peace somehow ... damn all those religious fanatics.

Posted by Stephen Walker July 19, 09 01:06 PM

As much as we civilians may not understand why our troops are over fighting and dying in the middle east, we need to suppor them! My family is an Air Force family, and we've been using anysoilder.com for years to send care packages to our troops overseas. Every little bit helps. :)

Posted by Meg July 19, 09 01:19 PM

Freedom is won by those whom are willing to protect it.! God bless our troops and hope he will safe our soldiers.

@pic 32. RIP hero! All the best for the woman and daughter.

Posted by Bergy (from Holland, brother of Dutch Special Formes member) July 19, 09 02:29 PM

#32 absolutely tore me up. We all thank our armed forces for what they do and realize that all give some and some give all, but seeing the child that will never know her father and a wife that has lost her life partner certainly brings it all back to very personal level

I found this video tribute to SSG Melton: http://www.mossmemorials.com/Melton_Josh/Joshua_A_Melton.wmv

Posted by Ray July 19, 09 02:45 PM

The people did not wont this war, the politicians did, lets send the politicians in to do the fighting. You will note from days gone by it's only the poor that do the fighting, and the poor stay poor the rich stay safe and get richer. Its only ever the rich that want wars, the poor never do. IF THE RICH HAD TO FIGHT THERE WOULD BE NO WARS

Posted by Phil Clarke July 19, 09 03:14 PM

There are some ignorant people who have posted here. I think it is time that people stop watching the national media for their source of "information."

"We went to war in Iraq for a lie," is a big one. I wish someone would tell me what lie. What, you were told their were weapons of mass destruction there, yet CNN said no there weren't any found. Oh how that just works out well. Try telling that to my friend that is U.S. Army EOD. One of his tours over their, they came a across a back room little mud hut with chemical warheads in it. Just wasn't that stadium sized facility like CNN portrayed it to be. Was the information that was given to us the best, no. But, it was fairly accurate. Saddam quit allowing UN weapons inspectors into Iraq. Now he was known for his use of nerve gas, an example would be what he did to the Kurds. Since it seems lots, of people seem to forget that the U.S. gave a deadline to Saddam to allow UN weapons inspectors in, I will try to refresh minds.

When Saddam would not allow UN inspectors in, to a global audience, President Bush gave an ultimatum to Saddam, that if he does not allow the inspectors in, a U.S. led invasion force would enter his country and remove him from power. The day came, and the day passed, with Saddam refusing. So the U.S. held up it's position. Try watching all of the President's speeches, not the little excerpts that CNN takes to manipulate it into what they want you to think that he said.

"We went there for the oil," is another popular one. Answer me this, why am I still paying $2.50 a gallon average. Where is my $.99 a gallon like it was 10 years ago. Only people who think that, are the same ones who think we were lied to on our intentions on going to war with Iraq.

"The amount of deaths are unacceptable." It deeply saddens and hurts me, when any of my fellow brothers and sisters fall in combat. Or for any other reason in the combat zone. 4000 U.S. troops, roughly, have fallen in Iraq. It sucks. And I pray for the families. But, in the 6 years we have been in Iraq, that equals out to a lot less then a 1000 a year. Review your history on dates and casualties of soldiers in past wars and conflicts. from December 1941 to August 1945, U.S combat deaths were around 416,800. So that 4000, is not a large number. Especially when a large chunk of them were not combat related, whether it had been illness, vehicle accident, etc.

And as an example of the BS that the media puts out. As Air Force, I spent my time in the rear working on aircraft. We had an issue of a truck bombing at a theater, were no U.S. or Coalition forces were injured at, in a town nearby, I remember watching CNN cover that bombing. It was a bold face lie, of what they told the world. All of us sat in disbelief at what they were telling the world. About the only shred of truth in it, was the fact their was a truck that was rigged to explode. But I guess ratings and pushing agendas are far more important then the truth. And I am not just picking on CNN, all of them are bad.

Want to know what is going on, talk to someone who is there.

By the way, lots of good pictures.

Posted by Daniel July 19, 09 04:53 PM

It makes it all so much more real. The papers can't show you such detail. Look in to the every eye to learn all you need to know.

Posted by Vee Starr July 19, 09 05:47 PM

It is necessary war, American and west have once abandon us (pukhtoons) to the Pakistani corrupt military and they just made our people terrorists. Help the pukhtoons unite across both sides of Durand line and this is the only salvation for the whole mankind

Posted by Latif July 19, 09 06:26 PM

I have no idea if someone is still reading this. But I have met so many Afghan refugees who have escaped their country because of the hopelessness. They refuse to fight for the Taliban and they have no jobs, no hope. They leave for a better life. But not one of them said that they wish the US and allies would leave. They were all incredibly thankful for the US. They desperately wanted to tell us (even though they had family and friends back in the country still affected by the war) how important we have been there. They wanted us to know that not every Afghan is Taliban and that they were our friends ... they themselves understood that the Taliban was the problem. These refugees included Muslims, former Taliban, a few persecuted Christians, ... quite a mix. I hate war, I pray for those refugees, the Afghans, the children ... all of them. But I also think I understand the deep pain of choosing war as well.

Posted by brooke July 19, 09 07:07 PM

From one Melton to another, rest in peace, brother.

Posted by A Melton July 19, 09 11:17 PM

I wish we had a 5th branch of the military. The duties of this branch include policing, training, and occupying a war ravaged country like Afghanistan. We (the U.S.) have the mightiest military in the world when we are fighting a war on the move like we train so hard to do during peace time. But we are horrible at occupying a country for so long, standing on street corners, weapon in hand, wondering when the next jerk-off is going to suicide bomb them. We can demolish any standing army with ease and precision but obviously do not know what to do after that...Hate to see fellow soldiers and civilians being targets like this. My unit never trained a single day stateside for the duties we performed overseas. Seems like a waste of good resources.

Posted by Egan July 19, 09 11:29 PM

#32 is very very sad

Posted by hitender singh July 20, 09 12:55 AM

#32 could quite possibly be the most moving photo I have ever seen.

Posted by Andrew July 20, 09 01:08 AM

pic 32 left me speechless and disturbed for some time. I'm a young guy and don't get emotional a lot, but seeing a baby reaching for her dad without comprehending what death is just makes you cry. I wish that this war ends sooner and less people suffer from it. God Bless Our Troops and God Speed to all that gave their lives for us.

Posted by Dave July 20, 09 03:59 AM

I am loving that Ipod picture.

Moving and powerful stuff. Thanks again.

Posted by Samantha July 20, 09 04:21 AM

Number 4 is just too ironic. A woman practicing yoga and sunset, the pinnacle of peace and harmony, except for the barbed wire at her feet and the arid desert she's standing on.

Posted by Lisa July 20, 09 05:36 AM

Whoever you are Shyam (comment#30), whatever your reason for being in this country, whatever gave you the courage to have posted this comment -
I hope that you find some light in your ignorance and hatred.
Words come easily- intelligent people weigh them.
Start with yourself when it comes to sowing goodness and we will all reap peace.

Unforgettable pictures. Thank you Mr. Taylor.
Gos bless them all, help them bring peace and return them home safely.
My son also serves in Illinois National Guard and is now deployed there.

Posted by Treeberry July 20, 09 06:06 AM

If history teaches us anything is that talking and communication is the only way of bringing about peace and war, invasion and death only prolongs conflict. All that the US and its allies are achieving is a prolonged war in Iraq and Afghanistan, each innocent death is a recruiting drive for those opposed. It is equally sad to see soldiers returning to their families in coffins especially for a war that they cannot and will not win. The only thing being created here is tragedy, 8 years later and no sign of any resolution. Time to start talking and stop killing innocent children and making orphans of innocent children - on all sides. Fantastic photos particularly in part one, the shots of the children particularly poignant

Posted by Kieran July 20, 09 07:09 AM

S TO P IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now.-

Posted by hiper July 20, 09 08:24 AM

*119.
If you research better, you will see that Donald Rumsfeld and Bush that provided Iraq those bio-weapons. How does that work, you give weapons to a country , and then complain that they have it, you invade this country and take ownership of it for 8 fu*#@ years !!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-153210/Rumsfeld-helped-Iraq-chemical-weapons.html

Posted by emerson cardoso July 20, 09 08:24 AM

Its bad to see innocent children suffer. Mr Bush is enjoying his retirement with his family and children all around him.
After seeing picture 32 it has totally broke my heart, Being a muslim and a father of a 20 month old boy, it kills me to see that poor little child will not grow up with her father around. This war is nothing to be proud of. Innocent people losing family members on both side, whilst the leaders catch a quick game of golf.
America needs to give its own citizens freedom before worrying about bringing democracy in for others. Great pictures once again, I expect to see many more HEART BREAKERS (32) in the near future. Thanks once again to Mr Bush and his gang.

Hopefully Mr Obama will make this world a peaceful place

Posted by Ali July 20, 09 08:31 AM

Am I the only one who finds photo #8 to be rather frightening?

Posted by Ian July 20, 09 09:04 AM

that guy in picture 16 looks like John from John and kate plus 8 hahahaha

Posted by Godlesssoldier July 20, 09 09:33 AM

It's a good collection of photos. I don't have much to add; need to process them first. It's good to get these pictures into the public eye, though.

One minor remark on #28: "Bellplain" is actually spelled "Belle Plaine".

Posted by Calli Arcale July 20, 09 10:06 AM

All this death and misery expensed so elitists (whether they are the Taliban, the Allied or either of their supporters) can gloat they are the most righteous. What's just as disappointing is a large number of these comments exemplify my assessment.

Posted by Alex July 20, 09 10:10 AM

#32 made me cry. The innocence of this child.... She doesn't understand and she'll never understand. Neither do I.

Posted by klEvert July 20, 09 10:30 AM

Love #4 pic. Get them, Sandra!

Posted by brutalist July 20, 09 10:37 AM

In reply to *119

"We went there for the oil," is another popular one. Answer me this, why am I still paying $2.50 a gallon average. Where is my $.99 a gallon like it was 10 years ago.

Answer: your no more the only one driving a car. Emerging countries need oil too. Besides, your question is totally off topic.

Only people who think that, are the same ones who think we were lied to on our intentions on going to war with Iraq.

Finally something right in your claims, people thinking the US went (twice) in Irak for oil were lied on the intentions.

The US foreign politic the last 30 years was a disaster, I hope Obama will be able to change this. "Hope you can".

Posted by euhm July 20, 09 10:43 AM

Please stop this war and bring my brother home.

Now.

Posted by Anonymous July 20, 09 11:24 AM

I'm curious as to how so many people blame the United States for this, and blame George Bush. It's like 9/11 never happened. Are you dumb or do you just choose to forget certain things?

Posted by RJ July 20, 09 11:28 AM

To the people who can't even tell the difference between Iraq and Afghanistan: Please it alone. Unless you think that American troops are building suicide bombs and giving them to Islamic fundamentalists to kill their own people.

No war is perfect. No war is good. You cannot have freedom without peace. You cannot have peace without war.

And you cannot have war without death.

Touching photos. It's not often I believe what the media shows me. Pictures like this can't lie.

Posted by Joshua Terrell July 20, 09 12:07 PM

Americans are wasting their time with this Afghanistan surge. Britain has been in southern Afghanistan for 3 years now. Our armed forces have thrown virtually everything we have at them, Apaches, Harriers, the royal marines, the paras. etc. Killed the Taliban by the absolute bucket load. But every time we think their smashed they just come back stronger. The Soviets left Afghanistan in 1989 with 106,000 men, and far more resources than we have. We won't win. All this for a country which isn't a threat to us. Saudi Arabia is the capital of world terror, Pakistan being second. Do we invade Saudi Arabia? No. Do we invade Pakistan? No we let them have Nukes. Let muslims suicide bomb us. I ain't scared of them. We lived with the IRA for years, and they were much better than these ametures.

Posted by Joe July 20, 09 12:25 PM

Picture #32 affects me in so many ways....I have a daughter about the same age...It Is so sad that he never will see her grow up. It is so sad that she'll never know her dad. What a waiste....Stupid war !!!

Posted by Rich Boudreau July 20, 09 12:40 PM

i agree that 32 is very sad, it truely is... but that is the reality of war. A stupid war.
And for all those americans who say "but what about 9/11 we have to keep fighting and support our troops". I dont believe anyone who sees picture 32 and still supports the war can have a human heart... you'll admit its sad but you'll still show your support... but imagine you were shown that picture and then another dead soldier in a open casket with his children crying...and then another soldier...and another...and another...and then all the 1,250 who have died...and then you were shown all the dead bodies of afghan children lying in the street (i will not post any they are too distrubing) Anyone who supports this mass murder has no respect for human life Yes the taliban chose to attack america but afghanistan didnt, her children did not yet thay are the ones who are suffering for americas thirst for revenge.

Posted by Kay July 20, 09 01:59 PM

What you are seeing here is war. Abandon your side-taking, abandon your 'reasons', there is no justification for the bringing of death.
Some may see this as a liberation, I see it for what it is. Gaining strategic position in an oil-rich region of the world. Evidence? You only need to look at Yemen, Sierra-leon, Zimbabwe.....the list goes on.
But that does not make the war-lords right for their blatant disregard for life and rights (whom-ever they were trained by or gave them weapons).
Wake up people! The vote you cast for a majority party will ALWAYS cost someone simply because of power-struggles and backdoor deals.I think it is sickening how power corrupts so absolutely. There are no winners, all are losers.
'A plague o' both your houses'.
-Shakespere-

Posted by Teller of the truth July 20, 09 03:11 PM

#32 - My brother in arms, pictures like this tear my heart to pieces, but its the fact that they hit that close to home that makes them amazing.
I hope I dont come home in a casket, if I do, I do so with honor, as many have before me.

Posted by jcrown7 July 20, 09 03:11 PM

Picture #32 speaks volumes of who really looses in War, the children. And while I'm glad to see pictures like this, that speak to the true horror of war, that of lost loves, it breaks my heart for all involved; but none more than for that small child, who will never get to know her father.

Posted by Douglas Troy July 20, 09 03:16 PM

+++ Rest in Peace Soldiers +++

Posted by korvinag July 20, 09 04:26 PM

Leave them! Leave the Afghan people to their tormentors! Let the Taliban overrun the country and suppress the people! Let the women be covered and beaten! Let the children be given weapons and raised as religious warriors! Let the people have no control over their lives! Let the flow of the worlds largest supply of heroin flow uninterrupted! Let the religious extremists have their desert!

We have no business protecting these people! They were doing just fine! Who cares if a few hundred thousand ethnic people are chemically cleansed? Who cares if you cannot read unless its the koran? Who cares if your wives had no say in your marriage? Who cares if some Indians and Pakistanis and Chinese Indonesian hotels get bombed? Who cares if the youth of the country are brainwashed into hatefully religious deliberate civilian killing machines?

/sarcasm

Anyone who thinks we can just leave and "everything will be like it was in the 50's" is fooling themselves. The world is too small now, the afghanis problems ARE OUR problems. The US soldier in #32 is a hero, not just a dead person. You insult his memory by urging people to abandon his cause. Thank God there are some people left in this world (US, Brits, Canadians, French, Coalition Forces) that can see past the media frenzy and have the balls to deal with an issue that will be there, whether or not we close our eyes and stick our fingers in our ears and say "nahnahnah I cant see you so you dont exist"

Posted by bob July 20, 09 05:24 PM

As a human I find it hard to say that the war, at the moment, should continue. Picture 32 ensures this. It makes my heart hurt to see a photo like that with the daughter reaching towards an unresponsive father. But at the same time I see the photos of the Afghani children that have been injured and killed and I know some people think that these reasons alone justify US leaving the people. when we went into this war I was just a kid, only got the news from my parents and whatever the teachers forced on us, so I have no opinion on whether our reasons for going to Afghanistan was correct or not. But as I am now an adult, and slightly more world wise than I was before, I can say that leaving now would only cause more harm. Now that we�ve cause instability somewhere it is our duty to return it to a better state than what was there. And, please, do not say this is just another na�ve American civilian trying to justify the war. I am an Airman, and as such I am a Warrior, perhaps not so much as the Marines or any of the other nations� elite fighters, but believe me when I say that we don�t like losing brothers or sisters of any nationality to any war. But I still maintain that quitting now would not only waste what the KIA British, Canadian, French, Coalition and American died for, but also would leave the areas we are currently occupying in a mess that would take far longer for them to fix without all of us helping. For God�s sake, for الله for any god you pray to, at the very least give your soldiers support. They need it. Supporting the war is one thing, supporting a soldier is another.

Posted by Rohr July 21, 09 12:31 AM

whao. very much impact in each and every single of the images. how war bring things down.

Posted by ant July 21, 09 01:19 AM

All this for what?
Of the soldiers and civilian war casualties.....there is just no meaning to it.
This is happening, because we let it happen.

"If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change"
[MJ - Man In The Mirror]

Posted by KW July 21, 09 01:46 AM

I will be back

Posted by Michael Gao July 21, 09 02:25 AM

Afghan-
Thanks Everyone, especially Soldiers, we used to live in Pakistan
since you guys gave us our freedom, we are back and we a good life here, i have printing press now, but the only thing i request from you people is please don't kill our innocent people F**k Taliban burn them alive, don't keep them alive, Shot at sight, i know America does not want the Bosses of Taliban to be killed because he has lots of profit in Afghanistan . but you soldiers no one will ask you why did you killed him, please don't arrest them just shoot them at their balls
thanks

Posted by Nazir-Afghanistan July 21, 09 02:30 AM

Both series - horror...

Posted by michael July 21, 09 03:25 AM

you forgot these pictures: http://www.aaretspressefoto.dk/index.php?aar=2008&kategori=reportage_udland .. they are amazing

Posted by kasper July 21, 09 03:53 AM

Has it never occured to North Americans to invest in education, food and reconstruction instead of hate, war and destruction? I am most certain you would change your reputation, the way the world sees you, and you wouldn't have hoards of fatherless children wanting revenge in the future... But no, fear and revenge is your way... you will never learn and this will never stop!!!!!!!
START HELPING, STOP DESTROYING!!!!!!

Posted by F.R. (Colombian in Spain) July 21, 09 03:58 AM

#4 anyone ......................resounding silence. its all #32

Posted by naysh July 21, 09 08:06 AM

I am currently in Kabul and have to say these pictures really bring it home. I am lucky to have these strong men and women who serve with us. As a former Army lieutenant, I hate to see the men lose their buddies as they are the only ones that will watch your back in any situation. To F.R. there are a lot of great working being done here in Afghanistan from Agricultural projects to building hospitals. There are thousands of us who believe in the reconstruction of the country as do the Afghans. I work with many young Afghan men and women who have dedicated themselves to rebuild this country. The US has already committed over a Billion dollars for the reconstruction of this country. And many other nations are represeted here. SO please do your research before you judge.

Posted by Pete July 21, 09 08:25 AM

Sad pictures, - in particular that little girl reaching out to her father - beautiful and desolate landscapes, and a culture far removed from what we know in the US. Thank you for bringing these pictures! I hope that the Afghan government and most of the Afghan people will be able to stand on their own feet. Unfortunately facts like the illicit drug-related activities of the Afghan president give you reasons for serious doubts.

Posted by michael July 21, 09 10:28 AM

@Daniel (comment 119): "Answer me this, why am I still paying $2.50 a gallon average. Where is my $.99 a gallon like it was 10 years ago."

Here's the answer: Pension funds and other large institutions invest in oil futures transforming oil from a physical commodity, rigidly subject to supply and demand, into something to bet on, like a stock. Between 2003 and 2008, the amount of speculative money in commodities grew from $13 billion to $317 billion, an increase of 2,300 percent. By 2008, a barrel of oil was traded 27 times, on average, before it was actually delivered and consumed.

Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/28816321/inside_the_great_american_bubble_machine/

Posted by Alex July 21, 09 04:27 PM

#32 is indicative of the kinds of images of this war that impact me the most. I think that SSG Melton knew going in that his death was a possibility; it's a soldiers burden. But to see Aubrey reach out tears my heart...she will NEVER understand.

Posted by Michael July 21, 09 06:06 PM

No 17 shows the absolute exhaustion and fatigue of this "war' and most of those boys look barely 20.

Posted by mrdarcy July 21, 09 10:53 PM

#32. Beyond what words can explain.

Posted by Ashwini July 22, 09 02:15 AM

#32 is a common scene played out for thousands of years across the entire planet during our species' time. Man is a brutal animal, and we do great violence to our fellow man - however - let us understand one thing: Democracy and Capitalism are two of the most important and empowering concepts ever developed - they both lead to allowing the common man being given a voice in his own destiny. These two concepts move slowly and often take generations and eras to pass before being fully realized. I understand that the voice comes at a great cost - but it is a cost worth paying and a goal worth fighting, killing, and dying for.

Posted by Lawrence Teller July 22, 09 03:11 AM

Well, #32 literally brought tears to my eyes this morning. It is moving on so many levels and in my view Pulitzer Prize worthy.

Posted by David Lawson July 22, 09 03:25 AM

These are just strong, strong series, Boston Globe you're doing fantastic job as always!
As for Afghanistan, I wonder none of 170 comments mentioned there are civilian PRT's as for Provincial Reconstruction Teams, doing a lot of public work for the population of Afghan Provinces. Czechs are in Logar province, together with a small unit of top class soldiers for protections. PRT's officials negotiate needs of locals with their leaders and then provide funds to build schools, cleaning and repairs of irrigation canals (some of them not used since 1989), building dams to collect rainfall water, provide electricity, etc. All the labour is done by local companies and the material is bought locally, PRT's members primarily serve as planners and construction survey during the construction.
We not only fight, we are providing Afghans with a better future through technology and advanced civil engineering.

One day we can look back and say. "We fought Taliban in Afghanistan, we made few people suffer and we regret that, but we have given the whole nation a better future."

All the best to Coalition soldiers, may you always be safe and provide much needed safety for locals. May you build more than you destroy and may you return home one day, safe, sound and proud.

Jiri (Prague, Czech Republic)

Posted by Schmouddle July 22, 09 09:02 AM

@ech - #95

You're darn tootin' they didnt, but they certainly harbored them, have befriended Bin Laden and his lackeys, supported them in their cause to construct and deal out terror to the western world and to the local populace that did/does not toe the line to their misrepresentation and misinterpretation of the Koran and that of Islam.
I'm sure you are too young to remember the beatings and beheadings, the stonings that went on with the Taliban in power, illegally, in Afgahnistan.

No no, we'll just turn a cheek and allow them to conduct terror. Carry on, carry on.

Posted by Western1 July 22, 09 04:24 PM

I thought it was against the Geneva Convention to display photos of POW's.

Wasn�t this what the US was complaining about a few days ago with their captured soldier?

Posted by Mathew Williams July 23, 09 04:00 AM

"Only death seen the end of the war" plato was right...

Posted by Afghan July 23, 09 07:27 AM

God bless America.

Posted by Lamjun July 23, 09 02:28 PM

#16 Shows the human, almost romantic face of the Taleban. Illeterate boys (too young to be men) with almost classic weapons fighting the most superior enemy you can think of on the battlefield.
What is the worth fighting this enemy? It is military the most suitable enemy you can think of, both morally (the media wants you to believe that) and material. I see no valour here. Nor honor. Nor a motive.
Bringing freedom? Than do it so without making a profit out of it (pipeline).
9/11 maybe ? I dont think so. Terrorism is not the cause, the decades of catastrofic US foreign policy was the cause ot it all in my eyes.

Posted by Parachutes July 23, 09 06:21 PM

About #32, please put it into perspective Think about the hundreds of Taleban who die every week. They too have mothers, fathers, a family.

Its all very sad nonetheless. I know.

Posted by Parachutes July 23, 09 06:32 PM

This entire collection is saddening, I was particularly shaken by 27

Posted by Sav July 23, 09 11:21 PM

#32 - the kid, the cute pics behind and a dead dad! so disturbing....

Posted by Raj July 24, 09 12:53 AM

N�16 is a violation of the Geneva Convention. I think that you wouldn't show the same picture with a US prisonner, would you ?

Posted by Barney July 24, 09 04:45 AM

Preventing fundamentalism is right. But as I read most of the comments here, I get the impression that there is going on a fight between one fundamentalist group and another... Every dead civilian or soldier boosts the aggression. On each side. There is no way to stop the killing by killing people.

Posted by Florian July 24, 09 09:37 AM

This is real and happening event. I like the reality of these photos.

Posted by Mahesh July 24, 09 01:01 PM

Powerful pictures - as many have commented it seems that we have lost track of why we are fighting this war. Here's one perspective of why were are there:

The stated aim of the invasion was to find the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden and other high-ranking al-Qaeda members and put them on trial, to destroy the whole organization of al-Qaeda, and to remove the Taliban regime which supported and gave safe harbor to al-Qaeda. The United States' Bush Doctrine stated that, as policy, it would not distinguish between terrorist organisations and nations or governments that harbor them. (Wikipedia)

#32 is an incredibly heartwrenching photo - I can't imagine containing the emotions as I have a 8 month old daughter myself.

Note to Alan, #28 - The soldier is from Belle Plaine, Minnesota

Posted by Josh July 24, 09 04:16 PM

One other note -
Afghanistan is no stranger to war. Wikipedia characterizes the last 40+ years of Afghan history as a period of civil war.
The struggles that Alan has illustrated in these two series of photos are not unique to the last decade. What does seem to be unique is a concerted effort at unified state building. (Hopeful that I'm not too naive in this perspective)

Posted by Josh July 24, 09 04:21 PM

I just finished reading a very personal, real-life account of the War on Terror - in a book that chronicles a soldier's year in Afghanistan. It's titled: AFGHAN JOURNAL: A SOLDIER'S YEAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

See for yourself - read an excerpt at the author's website: http://www.afghanistan-journal.com.

It's a realistic mosaic of insights and impressions that address all dimensions of a soldier's experience - mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural. This should be required reading for those of us in the US who tend to dismiss Afghanistan as some sort of remote "irritant" that's best relegated to academic debate.

Now that violence and terror in that region are escalating again, this book is an important reality check for any of us in the West who assume that terrorism isn't "relevant" to our everyday lives.

Posted by kath kruse July 25, 09 04:08 AM

Truly astonishing set of images, whats wrong with this world? A lot of it caused by Mumbo Jumbo religion. Why can't we all just get along? Brave soldiers dying for a cause that people back home don't understand.

Posted by Chris M July 26, 09 04:30 AM

i DONT UNDERSATAND WHY IS THE WAR GOING ON IS IT FOR A BETTER LIFE BY GIVING OR TAKING EACH OTHERS LIVES ????...........#32 I WAS SHAKEN WHEN SLOWLY I WAS SCROLLIN DOWN TO SEE THE PICS..............YA WAS TOUCHED..........STOP THIS ALL IS THIS IN OUR HANDS OR NOT ???...............

Posted by VINAYAK KAMAT July 26, 09 09:12 AM

When The Enemy Is Stopped From Entering An Area Where You Know They Will Set Up Next Once You Flush Them Out. That When Your Are Ahead In Conflict. When You Just Push Them From One Spot To Another That When It Keeps Going On.
Think About It And God Bless Our Miltary

Posted by Gary July 26, 09 12:32 PM

@ Daniel July 19

Are you going to rule out of the quality-journalism (so not CNN or FOX) all over the world that did their research on this subject? They all concluded the Iraq-war was based on false motives.

And the so called chemical warheads you talk about could be the ones America sold to Iraq. The proof? America got the receipt! Btw, they were not warheads with which you can threaten Isra�l, Europe or America with.

Posted by Galslacht July 28, 09 06:21 AM

#32 has to be the most intense image I've ever seen. So far in my 34 years of life, this is the only picture that ever made me cry.

Posted by LinuxBox July 28, 09 10:20 PM

#32 was very intense and sad. 189, I second your comment.

Godspeed and Semper Fi to all our Marines, Soldiers, Corpsmen, and Airmen in harms way.

Posted by Corey M July 29, 09 05:08 AM

Why is this terrorism in this world? Why are they not in fever to make life happy.....................................................? (:

Posted by Param July 29, 09 08:42 AM

Happy or not the future have been set. We simply have to live it.

Posted by E A July 30, 09 02:32 PM

WOW. I think for retired/ex-military those pictures have a special meaning. Even for those of us who were fortunate enough to have never been in combat; we know how it feels to be thousands of miles away from home, miss holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and most of all our LOVED ones. Every single American needs to thank their higher power that we have military men and women willing to make this sacrifice and the accompanying civilians who place themselves in harmsway; regardless if we agree with us being there or not.

Posted by Thomas E. Meservey, USN (Ret) July 31, 09 09:33 AM

leave my country alone.
non of the afghans need so called international forces.

Posted by afgun July 31, 09 12:13 PM

Picture 14 = one of the coolest photographs I've ever seen.

Posted by youngdesign August 1, 09 05:21 PM

The Ipod pic...........that's my son.....and I'm really proud of him :) Thanks for the comments. His music gets him through the day and night.

Posted by Penny Colburn August 2, 09 10:50 AM

feel sorry for the relatives of these soldiers...

yankee go home.

Posted by Sergey August 3, 09 04:15 AM

wow i dont believe

Posted by andres August 5, 09 09:21 PM

All the people in world are very greatful to you soldiers.

Hats of to you and God Bless you

Thabk you
Regards
Sudharshan
India
karnataka
Bangalore

Posted by Sudharshan August 6, 09 02:45 AM

Everybody gave some...Some gave all. Remembering a distant cousin who died in Afghanistan, Charles Kitowski, Houston, Texas.

Posted by Chris Laskowich August 6, 09 02:28 PM

# 32 ... Makes me cry.
The little girl rips my heart out. These people give so much for our country, and get so little respect. May God be with everyone of them and their families.

Posted by John Kilpper August 7, 09 02:28 PM

Good post Daniel,No.119.The invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq(geopolitics aside)have made me draw some analogies to normal everyday situations and ask some simple questions.If you see an old lady being attacked by a viscious thug with a baseball bat,would you step in and help her,or walk past?Do the U.S. and their allies have a moral mandate to go into these troubled countries and 'help' them?Or should you simply let these countries sort out their own problems by themselves,whatever the human cost?

Posted by Andrew Marshall August 9, 09 05:28 PM

These are excellent pictures that show the honor, integrity, compassion, and courage of our brave American heroes, and our allies. God Bless each and every one who serves to keep us safe and free here in the United States, and to help to give the Afghani people back their freedom. Thanks to our troops for their service, and thanks to their families for the sacrifices they make so that the troops can serve.

Posted by Jane August 12, 09 11:37 AM

I hold in the highest honor and respect the military members who represent the USA abroad. I regret that they have USA citizens and our national government representatives who do not honor them for their dedication and resolve. One only has to speak to those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to know the deep commitment they have to peace in those countries. They are not promoting a form of government, but rather a movement of individual rights. Government is the facilitation of those rights and its format is the resolve of the citizens.

Posted by Steve August 12, 09 10:23 PM

I have personal contact with a number of soldiers over there and they believe in what they are doing. In case you haven't figured out what they are doing there....They are keeping terrorists out of our country ! Do you enjoy going to the mall, or to gatherings in the parks? How about football games and concerts?
Would you like to see pictures of innocents bombed on buses in our own country?? Would you like to live as they must in Israel???
Resist the brainwashing, this is a great country.

Posted by rhonda Swiak August 12, 09 11:12 PM

Support Afghanistan and support our troops who fight there!!!

Posted by WJ Mitchell August 23, 09 06:16 PM

#32 pic So SAD, GOD BLESS AMERICA and those who died for OUR FREEDOM....

Posted by shuan September 13, 09 05:37 AM

thats a good liberal mind set lets blame all the worlds problems on bush.

Posted by jdgsc September 14, 09 01:48 PM

from italy.
i support your marines!!
i support ours military !!

frank

Posted by frank October 4, 09 12:01 PM

@Alan -- just a note, civil war has not lasted in Afghanistan for 40+ years; Wikipedia's characterization is too broad. The war against the Soviet Union, a generally nationalistic effort, lasted from 1979 until troop withdrawal in 1989. At the same time the Soviet Union withdrew its forces, the US and its allies withdrew all funding abruptly, and Afghanistan spiraled into civil unrest and gradually civil war. In 1996 the Taliban captured Kabul.

30 years ago, Afghanistan and especially Kabul were fairly Westernized and progressive. My parents (Afghans) attended coeducational universities, wore contemporary clothing (miniskirts, bell bottoms), and lived a hippie/bohemian lifestyle in the 70s. There is great tragedy in all of these pictures. To some who were there in better days, the pictures serve as a reminder how far the country has backslid. Thank you to our troops that are trying their hardest to save a country on life support. There is no easy solution to this quandary.

Posted by me November 4, 09 05:57 PM