Open criticism of COIN strategy on the ground in Kandahar

There's an interesting section of the Washington Post's story today on the Fifth Stryker Brigade Combat Team responsible for securing the population around Kandahar. Seems consternation over Gen. Stanley McChrystal's new counterinsurgency plan in the disparate southern villages of Afghanistan is not taboo to speak of by a high-ranking commander.

Not everyone is sold on Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's "protect the population" mantra. Some military officials think an expansionary push by the Marines into Taliban territory in neighboring Helmand province is more effective than hunkering down to the slow work of improving governance.

"I'm not a big fan of the population-centric approach. We can't sit still. We have to pursue and chase these guys," said Col. George Amland, deputy commander of the Marine expeditionary brigade in Helmand province. "I haven't seen any evidence it's working. The only thing that's working is chasing them."

Interesting to note as 30,000 soldiers will soon be sent to enact McChrystal's strategy.