Insurgency in Afghanistan has grown 10-fold

Enemy grew while we were busy in Iraq, but general says U.S. ‘flat missed the signs’

Nov 2, 2009

KABUL — The expansion of Islamic extremist groups across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region is “the worst I’ve seen it,” with Afghan insurgents receiving help from Iranian operatives and “very possibly” freelancing Pakistani intelligence agents, as well as a small but growing number of “deadly” foreign fighters, said Maj. Gen. Mike Flynn, director of intelligence for Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s headquarters here.

“I wouldn’t say it’s out of control right now, but this is a California wildfire and we’re having to bring in firemen from New York,” said Flynn, who has been tracking Islamic extremism for at least eight years in postings as director of intelligence for Joint Task Force 180 (in Afghanistan), Joint Special Operations Command, Central Command and the Joint Staff.

The U.S. intelligence community estimates that 19,000 to 27,000 insurgents are operating in Afghanistan, a roughly tenfold increase from 2004’s estimate of 1,700 to 3,200, said Flynn, who was brought in by McChrystal to head up intelligence operations for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and is considered one of the four-star general’s closest confidantes here.

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The Army Times

There are about 40,000 fighters combine from both sides of the border. A report came out a few years ago saying that the Taliban was paying better then most farmers with even benefits to families of those who died. This in part brought in new recruits.

AQ has been recruiting in North Africa,Europe,South America,Asia. The internet has played a big part recruiting in north Africa. While Person and prop has play a major role in Europe. So there is a small but growing influx of fighters not native to the area.

In 2006-2008 A report came out detailing how the Taliban was using tactics that special forces have been using. This put effort that intelligence Group's from Iran has been training The Taliban to fight. While Bomb making has come From Ex member's of the ISI who support or free lance.