Afghanistan: Soldiers walking off the job

The politicians keep on sprouting forth how well things are going in Afghanistan - and how the locals are being trained to assume control. That applies, especially, in the sphere, of the military.

The reality would appear to be the opposite. The soldiers being trained are walking off the job in ever -increasing numbers, as this Washington Post piece reports:

"At least one in seven Afghan soldiers walked off the job during the first six months of this year, according to statistics compiled by NATO that show an increase in desertion.

Between January and June, more than 24,000 soldiers walked off the job, more than twice as many as in the same period last year, according to the NATO statistics. In June alone, more than 5,000 soldiers deserted, nearly 3 percent of the 170,000-strong force.

Some Afghan officials say the figures point to the vulnerability of a long-standing Afghan policy that prohibits punishment of deserters. The rule, issued under a decree by President Hamid Karzai, was aimed to encourage recruiting and allow for some flexibility during harvest time, when the number of desertions spikes."

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