I don’t know much when it come to this sort of operation, but just a few observations. In that area, getting over 100 men armed and attacking with that intensity and ferocity is not just a chance encounter. It is too large a force to be smugglers, and too well armed to be chance.

To me it appears this attack by the Taliban was intended to contest the presence of US and Afghan troops in their territory. That it failed to achieve its objective is a testament to the fighting spirit and skill of the US and Afghani troops. The firepower carried by our troops, is more than a match for most opposing forces, but the size and coordination of the attack tells me our guys are stepping on some serious toes in that part of Afghanistan. I doubt the mobile reconnaissance force was the actual or the only target of the Taliban that day.

And while Taliban’s decision to retreat was acted on once the Hand of Allah arrived overhead, the decision was no doubt made when re-enforcing troops brought in fresh ammo and weapons. No way in hell I’d want to stick around then either. The Taliban is losing, as units like the 173rd separate the people from the fighters, and give hope to the idea of peace, the Afghanis are responding in ways that will continue to surprise and shock reporters and others who cannot believe the world works that way.