Trap for SEALs lost in Chinook Crash
A report just out by Stratfor has a lot to say about what might have been the impetus for a mission to begin with; from the story:
"The helicopter, which was shot down and left 30 U.S. troops dead in Afghanistan, was a trap set by a Taliban commander, an unnamed Afghan official said Aug. 8, AFP reported. According to the official, Taliban commander Qari Tahir told U.S. forces there was a Taliban meeting at the scene. Four Pakistani nationals helped Tahir, the official said, adding that the Taliban knew the route the helicopter took to the scene. The Taliban took position on either side of the valley, shot rockets and other weapons and brought the helicopter down with multiple shots, the official said."
While it is still too early to know exactly when or how this supposed conversation took place or even with whom, it is a very damning statement to say the least.