Blogs from South, Afghanistan, Asia - page 2

I'm currently working on a so-called "community stabilisation" or "soft kinetic" counter insurgency (COIN) project in south Afghanistan. The idea is that once the military (the "hard kinetics") have "cleared" and "held" an area, we come in and distribute useful assets and help with the reconstruction. The truly innovative aspect is that our project is focused on agriculture (since most Taliban are actually farmers) and providing training in how to get better yields or use tractors more efficiently seems a great idea to win hearts and minds away from the extremists. More on the project itself in my company web site FoodWorks Much of our work is undertaken in the productive river valleys of the Arghandab and the Helmand, the latter being one of the major rivers of the region with the former being an important ... read more

Off we went to Lashkar Gar the capital city of Helmand Province.... previously real bandit country for the British Army and even now held somewhat tenuously. Our compound in 'Lash' had been attacked by the AOG (Afghan Opposition Group - a polite name for the enemy - the Taliban) a couple of weeks previously. Two Talibs had disguised themselves in burqas, taken a taxi to the back of the compound and climbed over the wall at a blind spot. Very fortunately one of our expatriate close protection officers (mostly ex British or South African Army with a sprinkle of Foreign Legion) saw the attackers and raised the alarm; a fire fight ensued with both sides exchanging multiple rounds before the attackers were shot dead. But by that time they had wounded some of our staff. It ... read more

It is HOT in Kandahar at this time of year.... VERY HOT! The journey from Kabul was not the most pleasant of my life - delayed flight, old ex-Turkish Airlines 737 and a mad scramble for the bags - Kandahar Airport (aka KAF) has not yet invested in a carousel system. Then into the body armour for a dash to our secure company compound in the centre of the city. Secure is, of course, a relative term since KAF is regularly rocketed and our compound is right where NATO-ISAF forces have yet to "clear' the Taliban. We are the only NGO remaining in the city which is the heartland of the Taliban (aka "Afghan Opposition Groups" - why does officialdom always try and dumb things down?). The compound is like a fortress or a maximum security ... read more

August 2nd 2009 Back from a well relaxed HLTA. I was actually looking forward to coming back as I was getting a little bored on vacation. So what do I do as soon as I get back? Go to a Dutch party of course!!! The Dutch has the reputation for throwing the best rave party in KAF. For a moment there I almost forgot where I was! Yes it was THAT good! Famous people!!! Words has it that Finger 11 are coming to perform on the boardwalk. Other famous people? Guy Lafleur and Patrick Cote will be in town. ALMOST DONE!!! Yup..it's almost over...I'm sad and relieved at the same time. I met so many great people since I got back and it's hard to realise that...this is only temporary. But yet I'm looking forward to ... read more

Week 1-3 KAF!!! One word, DUSTY!!!!!!! This place is huge!!! I would say 95% of the population here are guys, and by far, the Americans are the worst when it comes to chasing down women. At first it felt good to have all the attentions, the stares and the waves, but now that I have been here for over three weeks, it does gets annoying. I have a nice comfy room, and I plan on sleeping in a sleeping bag on my bed for 6 months. I would have to say that, I work very hard everyday, and that I officially hate Tim Hortons. Half way done Since I've been here...let's see...I have witnessed the pavement of the roads...less dust thank god! I met a very nice Canadian man who works the flight line security. I ... read more