This translates into a moment of opportunity for alternative sources — but only if it turns out that readers value alternative sources and are willing to keep them afloat during these stormy times. Pajamas Media is an example of an alternative source that is making an impact. PJM reaches millions of people and they sent a video camera to me in Afghanistan. Please stand by for videos of our folks and Afghans telling you directly what they think. Perhaps PJM will host us live from Afghanistan from time to time, and then you can ask soldiers and Afghans what they think and get a live, completely unedited answer.

This is a challenging period: The Afghanistan-Pakistan situation is deteriorating rapidly. Panglossian op-eds, such as this 2006 piece in the Wall Street Journal, would have encouraged investors to toss money into Afghanistan with hopes of high return. For a bit of time travel into coverage from Afghanistan, please read “A Virgin Market.” Afghanistan is neither virgin nor innocent.

But just as my 2006 pieces on Afghanistan explicitly warned that chaos was descending upon the land, I write it here clearly again: during 2009, we likely will see more fighting in Afghanistan than we have experienced to date. Come spring and summer, friendly casualties from all sides will likely be at an all-time high. There is no end in sight. I would not doubt that, given time and barring some extreme unforeseen changes in the situation, the Afghanistan-Pakistan war might well devolve into something far worse than we ever saw in Iraq.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Blogging & the Internet • Media • * Economics, Politics • War in Afghanistan

1. mhmac13 wrote: Michael Yon is one of the few reporters in any media today who represent what true journalism should be.  His reports are always forthright, accurate and to the point.  I would take his word on many issues over some of our well-known “pundits” who make a lot of noise signifying -nothing.  It will be interesting to track his predictions re: Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Would that our political leaders would pay more attention to him and others who sweat blood and tears with our troops without prejudice.  We will need more like him, particularly if Obama wins, given his prediliction for suppressing information which is critical of him or his policies. October 31, 6:46 pm | [comment link]

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