https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2008/09/20/war-by-parts/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 14:02:13 -0400<![CDATA[The Globe and Mail has a story, based on a NATO report, which describes how a platoon of French soldiers advancing up a hill in Afghanistan, with high ground on three sides, were hit by snipers and RPGs and wiped out as a unit. Of the 30 French paratroopers, 10 were killed and 18 were wounded.  Michael Yon, who has access to the classified NATO report, confirms the Globe and Mail article correctly reflects the report, without adding any additional details. The Globe and Mail story suggests the enemy which attacked the French received training and weaponry from sanctuaries across the border in Pakistan. &#8220;Two Western security officials said &#8230; that the attackers cannot be described as purely Taliban; they likely included fighters from the Taliban movement, but also from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar&#8216;s Hizb-i-Islami network, and perhaps from other groups. Senior officials said they suspect the involvement of Hazrat Noor, an extremist leader from South Waziristan, in the lawless tribal areas of Pakistan.&#8221;]]>Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:49:10 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2008/09/20/war-by-parts-n186116