Afghanistan: Training Challenges

In a country with a society that has been beating off occupation forces, i.e. the Soviets and more, and with the warrior culture long embedded, they can't be trained to be a U.S. Military Force nor a once Soviet Military. They understand the insurgent mindset, in their own country and region, and can only refine that knowledge, something ours and other Militaries never learned to understand. We enjoy big priced toys of mass destruction and mass kill and fight with them while occupying others in their land!

AIR DATE: June 29, 2010

Afghan Troop Training Challenges Examined by Documentary Filmmaker

SUMMARY

As the U.S. considers its ongoing strategy in Afghanistan amidst leadership changes, Ray Suarez talks with documentary filmmaker Carol Dysinger about her exploration of the strengths of Afghan troops and the U.S. soldiers helping to train them.

Transcript

GWEN IFILL: Finally, we return to the Afghanistan story.

As we noted earlier, the U.S. inspector general for Afghanistan has issued a report criticizing efforts to build up Afghan security forces.

For a different perspective on how that program is working, we turn to documentary filmmaker Carol Dysinger. She spent months filming Afghan military units and the American soldiers trying to train them.

Ray Suarez recently spoke with her.

Snip

JEFFREY BROWN: Carol Dysinger gathered footage for her film between 2005 and 2008. It was edited before the recent debate began again over the timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Her documentary airs on many PBS stations in August and September. Full transcript