What’s this? It’s video from recent small-arms training of Afghan National Police recruits at the Kabul Military Training Center. These recruits, part of a female class, are firing AMD-65s under the supervision of the Italian carabinieri. Why is it here? This is a companion post for a longer discussion soon to appear on the At War blog about the AMD-65, the short-barreled Hungarian Kalashnikov variant, made during the Cold War, that the United States has issued by the tens of thousands to Afghan police officers. Hint: Look at how this recruit uses her left hand to brace the rifle. She is clutching the magazine. This is, in two words, not good. And it points to some of the flaws in this rifle’s design. Those who follow military small arms closely would appreciate a discussion of this weapon’s characteristics and traits. But there is a larger significance. Rifles like this, and where they turn up, can say much about military decision-making, about national priorities, about how lives can be lost in war. Set aside the mythology of the Kalashnikov as a miracle weapon; the favorable press and abundant propaganda that surround the weapon often conflict with the truth. The AMD-65 offers a good example, and a means to look at some of the American missteps in Kabul.

Notes

  1. fuckyeahihatepeople reblogged this from cjchivers
  2. cvikli reblogged this from zsuki and added:
    hat nem tudom hogy 200 vagy 300 meterrol volt az alaplogyakorlat, de azert a mellalakot (cel: also szele-kozepe)...
  3. zsuki reblogged this from cjchivers and added:
    inkabb nem mondok semmit.
  4. cjchivers posted this