Coolio43

Dramatic new video shows how American soldiers in Afghanistan are being set up for deadly ambushes after trying to make peace with village elders in Taliban-controlled areas.
The effort to win the "hearts and minds" of village elders in the Korengal Valley of Kunar Province in Afghanistan has proved to be a dangerous one for U.S. troops, with elders often suspected of tipping Taliban fighters to the soldiers' schedule and whereabouts.
The video, to be broadcast tonight on ABC News' "World News With Charles Gibson" and "Nightline," was shot by journalists embedded with the 2nd Platoon, Battle (B) Company of the 173rd Airborne. The journalists, including author Sebastian Junger, were on assignment for "Vanity Fair" and ABC News.
Six soldiers from another 173rd Airborne company, C Company, 1st Platoon, were killed in an ambush over the weekend in Afghanistan as they returned from a Shura, a meeting, with village elders.
The new video shows the men of the 2nd Platoon of Battle Company twice walking into traps after leaving meetings with village elders, one called to discuss details of a U.S.-financed water pipe project.
"We went from being the hunters to the hunted," said photographer Tim Hetherington who was with the troops when they were attacked last month.
Three U.S. soldiers were killed and six others wounded in the October ambush. A medic was killed in July as the platoon left a similar meeting with village elders.
The video also shows a contentious showdown between U.S. commanders and village elders, who deny hiding Taliban fighters.
"Are you calling me a liar that I got shot at last night?" Lt. Matt Piosa, the 2nd Platoon leader, shouts at the elders.
In the five and a half months the 173rd Airborne has been in Afghanistan, it has been involved in an estimated 450 enemy engagements, commanders say.
The Blotter: Ambush: Video Shows U.S. Troops Being Hunted, Killed

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sectionOne

no, this video must be fake.
why would peaceful muslims want to kill Americans?

sid2112

Damn I'm proud of those soldiers. They face this sort of thing day in and day out and they still keep going. God Bless them all.

It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the Dew of Mountains that thoughts acquire speed,The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning.
It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

Coolio43

"Peaceful" muslims in a Taliban controlled area? Nope, nada.

2lane

So good of them too, to "volunteer" to go back 3 and 4 times. I know they feel your support.

I only take Euros!

sectionOne

you mean Pak and Afg... there's not many peaceful muslims unwilling to kill Americans?

Peterpan

Just use this safe generalization.

"Everyone hates the U.S. and would take any chance to take a crack at us."

No country is above that.

It may not always be true but why fill yourself with false hope.

The U.S. is the most hated country in the world

It's sad really but it is what happens when you try to be the peace keeper/supporter of an ungrateful, and uneducated world.

sectionOne

hate must be very powerful to make someone want to kill.

Peterpan

Key word, "Uneducated". Hate to the uneducated holds great power and influence.

I wish it were not so.

sid2112

They should, because I support them. Sarcasm is great, but support is better. These people are putting thier lives on the line doing thier duty as soldiers. They deserve more than rhetoric and certainly more than sarcasm by desktop elitits such as you and I.

It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the Dew of Mountains that thoughts acquire speed,The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning.
It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.