Standing down

America’s overseas armies have always operated with rules of engagement. No one wants to see the troops wantonly assaulting the civilian populace. But there comes a time when the restrictions on self-preservation by our military forces — in a combat zone, where they watch their buddies getting ambushed, having their legs blown off on a regular basis — grow so absurd that they amount to death by friendly fire.

Observers in Afghanistan report the Taliban are well aware of our often absurd rules of engagement and have begun to pattern their actions to take advantage of them.

Among other restrictions, U.S. and NATO troops are reportedly banned from conducting surprise or nighttime searches, are obliged to warn villagers before searches, and may not fire at combatants who were shooting at our men seconds before but who now put down their weapons and saunter away.

Women cannot be searched, except by other women — sometimes in short supply in combat; troops can fire on insurgents if they catch them placing an IED, but not if insurgents are strolling away from the explosives.

“A hunger for revenge is palpable among U.S. Marines as casualties grow on the frontline of the battle against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan,” The London Telegraph reported Feb. 1. “My men want revenge — that is only natural,” 1st Lt. Aaron MacLean told the newspaper.

He, too, is frustrated, accusing the Taliban of manipulating the rules of engagement by using women and children as shields and shooting from hidden positions before dropping their weapons and standing out in the open. “They know we can’t shoot them if they don’t carry guns or without positive identification,” Lt. MacLean said.

In one case, villagers had tipped off U.S. forces of the presence of a Taliban commander who was threatening village elders. To get permission to go after him, U.S. troops had to get 11 separate Afghan, U.S. and international forces’ approval of the plan. The approval finally came the next day. By then, the Taliban commander had moved on, to the consternation of the villagers who’d provided the tip.

Outside a tent housing the Marine unit responsible for firing mortars on the base near Marjah stands an improvised cross bearing the inscription: “Here lies the 81st, death by stand down.”

Brave young Americans are risking their lives in these wars. To deprive them of the ability to defend themselves — to win — is at least tragic and absurd, if not criminal.