FOB Fenty Jalalabad Attack on June 2010
In his article titled “FOB Fenty and Attacks in Jalalabad,” Smith relies on various media reports to provide an account of the events that transpired at Front Operating Base (FOB) Fenty on June 28th, 2010. With a significant emphasis on the words of Tim Lynch, Smith narrates the failed attempt by Taliban insurgents to raid the military base through an infrequently used entrance. The article offers a detailed account of the insurgents’ unsuccessful efforts to breach the base, involving a bomb detonation at the gate and a subsequent intense firefight with the guards. Smith prominently references the news reports of Jim, an American news reporter at the base. Throughout the article, Smith openly declares his support for American efforts and expresses his hope for the defeat of the Taliban insurgents. It is evident that he holds a strong belief in the superiority of the American military, as demonstrated by his dismissal of the possibility of the insurgents overrunning FOB. In his concluding remarks, Smith advocates for the US soldiers’ decision to eliminate the Taliban insurgents.
Article Review:
The primary objectives of the author in this article are not to highlight the reporting skills of Tim Lynch but rather to convey information to the reader about the events at FOB Fenty. Additionally, Smith aims to express his stance on the war. He unequivocally states his opposition to the Taliban and suggests that their actions will never succeed as long as the US maintains a prominent presence in Afghanistan. Importantly, the author’s approach is to provide an objective report by heavily relying on the words of Tim Lynch and other news sources, such as the Washington Post. Furthermore, he aims to underscore the disparity in capabilities between the US military and the terrorist group, emphasizing that the tactics of the Taliban are ineffective, particularly when compared to the proactive stance of NATO forces and the US military.
Although the article lacks a clearly defined theoretical framework, it primarily addresses the domains of warfare and terrorism. Smith makes references to enemy tactics, such as the “massing of forces,” and portrays acts of terror as acts of cowardice, aligning with theories related to terrorism. The article also delves into the theory of war and terrorism by highlighting the measures taken by the US military in Kunar and Nuristan provinces. The central argument presented by the author is that the aggressive elimination of insurgents is essential because they pose a threat to both local and international populations. This position is substantiated by the author’s portrayal of how insurgents selectively antagonize the residents of Jalalabad, with one of the key reasons being their intent to provoke non-Muslims.
The central argument of the article revolves around the necessity of aggressively targeting and eliminating terrorists, particularly away from populated areas, given that local residents do not necessarily support the Taliban. Through the cited news reports, the article highlights some of the losses incurred by the group, using these losses as justifications for the need for the US to prevail in what is portrayed as a one-sided war. These losses include the deaths of young men who join militant groups like the Taliban, resulting from battles and their belief in suicide bombings. The author’s writing approach is effective, utilizing examples and evidence to support central arguments. For instance, he asserts that despite ongoing attacks, international forces in the region draw encouragement from the perception that they are on the right side—the side represented by the US military.
The author’s position in the matter is clearly expressed in the article. He does not adopt a central or neutral stance but rather exhibits a biased outlook in favor of the American side of the conflict. This is evident in his use of terms like “we” when referring to the American side, and he explicitly states, “We can do more, but we can’t do any less than that and win,” which underscores his belief in the justification of American actions in Afghanistan. The author’s bias is further demonstrated by his focus on the negatives of the Taliban insurgents while overlooking any faults on the US side. For instance, there is a discrepancy regarding whether the perimeter wall of the camp was breached, but the author does not explore such inconsistencies and concentrates on highlighting the shortcomings of the Taliban.
The article’s strengths lie in its presentation. It effectively incorporates auxiliary features, such as photographs of the scene, which enhance the reader’s understanding and make the content more vivid. The use of visual elements is compelling in conveying the events. Additionally, the article is concise and to the point, avoiding the potential for reader disengagement that often accompanies overly long articles. The use of firsthand information lends credibility to the article, and the author mentions that the information is derived from both news sources and a contact on the ground in Fenty. The informal style of writing makes the article engaging, and the frequent use of the first person adds a personal touch. This approach allows the author to connect with the reader and convey emotions effectively.
In conclusion, the article possesses more strengths than weaknesses. To recap, the author takes a clear and biased stance in favor of the American side of the conflict and relies heavily on quoted material. While the article provides a report on real events, its lack of neutrality compromises its quality as a neutral report. However, its concise and engaging style, use of visual aids, and incorporation of firsthand information contribute to its overall effectiveness.
References
De, L. D. E. (2010). Research companion to green international management studies: A guide for future research, collaboration and review writing. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.
Smith, H. (08, July, 2010). FOB Fenty and Attacks in JAlalabad. The Captain’s Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.captainsjournal.com/2010/07/08/fob-fenty-and-attacks-in-jalalabad/
