I’m not saying Inception is a bad film, it’s just perhaps not quite as great as everyone told me it would be. Best case: it’s a vaguely intellectual Oceans’ Eleven-style caper with a bit of sci-fi flim-flam. There are certainly worse films on offer at the local multiplex.

It’s odd really, because Christopher Nolan knows a thing or two about making clever movies with unreliable narrators and circumlocutious plots – see The Prestige (2006) or Memento (2000). Insomnia (2002) is also worth a look. In fact, just watch everything Christopher Nolan has every done. Twice.

If you liked the concepts in this film, then try Abre los ojos (1997) / Vanilla Sky (2001), or Existenz (1999) [note – contains Jude Law], or Cypher (2002). Maybe A Scanner Darkly (2006) as well, although that was moderately bonkers. And of course Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (1983).

If the worst that can be said about Inception is that it is “only” entertaining, interesting, well-shot and justifies paying the outrageous ticket prices at Vue Cinema then - in combination with the huge grosses - that makes for another feather in Nolan’s cap. Not every director manages this success rate; just ask M. Knight Shyamalan.

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/

Wikileaks has obtained a collection of 91,000 reports filed by US and ISAF forces during the Afghanistan conflict. War diaries – a fancy name for a big pile of military reports – have been compiled by military commanders, and further compiled by General Staff since the Romans were strutting their stuff.

Suffice to say, they are more typically a document of interest to military historians, and are not routinely available to the general public to see while a conflict is still taking place. [names of sources and local informers have been redacted].

This particular collection of documents relates to the Northern Sectors of Afghanistan, and particularly Kabul, as opposed to the Helmand province where the majority of UK casualties have been incurred. However, in early 2006, the NATO Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps(ARRC) became the headquarters of ISAF for a year, thus the attached British infantry and signals personnel raised the number of troops based in Kabul to around 1,300.

Although a US-oriented document, there are many NATO and British forces entries, which you can spot from UK specific terms and unit names.

A random selection of reports gives one real pause for thought, both at the significant casualty rates amongst “Local Nationals”, and the complex and fractious relationships between different tribes, different Afghan uninformed and paramilitary services, and the power struggles of local officials and chiefs. The overall picture I see is one of general confusion and uncertainty, interspersed with moments of petty carnage, betrayal and absurdity.  So, a war in essence.

A few items I spotted:

British Forces

(URL pending)

• 40 Commando Brigade Royal Marines find and defuse bombs

At approx 1500hrs 29 Dec 07, members of D Coy 40 CDO RM were on a patrol in the area south of FOB GIBRALTAR known colloquially as the WITCHES HAT, which has been the location of several devices in the past (WISREP RC(S) 07 132, 136,146 Refers).  The patrol were negotiating 2x VPs IVO the WITCHES HAT and were conducting OP BARMA drills to clear the VPs when they discovered 2x suspicious devices. The area was then secured whilst further personnel were called forward from FOB GIBRALTAR to confirm that the items were IEDs. After confirmation had taken place, EOD assistance was requested.  D Coy was unable to maintain security for the area so the cordon was collapsed until an IEDD c/s was available.  At approx 1130hrs 30 Dec 07, D Coy secured the area to allow IEDD operations to commence.

ITEMS RECOVERED:

(S//REL)  Device 1 was an RCIED with a Mod-5 Spider and Battery and 1x MK82 500 lb Aircraft Bomb as a main charge.
Device 2 was an RCIED using a Mod-5 Spider and battery with 2x main charges: 
(1) Main charge 1 consisted of:
       (a) 4x Mortar Bombs.
       (b) 1x 81mm HE w/o fuze.
       (c) 1x probable shell 76mm OF-350 w/o fuze.
       (d) 1x Probable shell 85mm O-365 w/o fuze.
       (e) 1x Probable warhead from 180mm HE Frag RAP OF-23 w/o fuze.
(2) Main charge 2 consisted of a yellow plastic container measuring approximately 300mm x 220mm x 170mm containing probable HME.

(URL PENDING)

• 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh discover UXO

2 ROYAL WELSH  : 0 INJ/DAM,"At 0841Z, RC South reported a UXO Find.  FF reported that while conducting a NFO patrol they found 2x 82mm HE Mortar Rounds.  FF set cordon in place.  Combat Engineers BIP.  No casualties or damage reported.  NFI att.

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/07/AFG20090701n1865.html

• Light Dragoons find possible bomb

A COY Light Dragoons reported that while conducting a NFO patrol, FF observed a green square covered in plastic (POSS IED). FF marked and avoided the place. No casualties or damage reported.

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/07/AFG20090701n1877.html

• Light Dragoons repel insurgent attack

FF assessed that the attack was very well organized and conducted. Engagement lasted 55 min. FF stood to and retuned fire with GPMG and sniper fire. 

• 2nd Battalion The Mercians find UXO

B CO. 11 BG reported that while conducting a ANA WITH 2MERCIAN OMLT […] found 1x UXO (107mm rocket).

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/12/AFG20091208n2517.html

• Coldstream Guards: Afghan soldier accidentally shoots colleague in leg

3 COY WITH 1-6-205 1 COLDM GDS KDK were conducting a combined dismounted patrol. As the patrol was leaving PB3, 1 x ANA shot another ANA in the lower left leg by accident.

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/10/AFG20091015n2338.html

• B Company, 3 RIFLES take fire from Airport Lounge

 No battle damage.

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/07/AFG20090718n1933.html

• B COY 4 RIFLES fight insurgents and suffer casualties

INS engaged with SAF from GR 41R PQ 12320 97042 and 41R PQ 12472 97044. FF responded with SAF. […] FF suffered a contact explosion resulting in 1 x GBR WIA (CAT A) who was MEDEVACED IAW MM(S) 07-18E to R3 (UK) BSN. 

FOB LILLEY REPORTS THAT IT IS PAKMIL WHO IS ENGAGING THE ANA OPS LILLEY CONFIRMS THEY HAVE CONTACTED PAKMIL AND PAKMIL INFORMS THEY WILL STOP SHOOTING WHEN ANA STOP SHOOTING REQUESTING ANA CEASE FIRE

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/04/AFG20090411n1733.html

• Police on Drugs, celebratory fire(?), one dies

B Coy 1 RIFLES reported that some ABP high on drugs were arguing and woke up the TERPS. The ABP were later on the roof talking when 3 x shots were fired in the direction of the terps. 1 x ABP fell from the roof apparently from a GSW. 

Friendly Fire (With Friends Like These…)

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/11/AFG20091126n2272.html

• Afghan Soldier and Policeman argue. Gunfire ensues

ANA and ANP get into a verbal  engagement, and the ANP shot the ANA in the Chest

Fortunes of War (Doh!)

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/11/AFG20091130n2287.html

• US Soldier shoots self in foot

Barbarian 26 reported that 1 x US WIA from a ND in the lower extremity (Left Heel)

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/02/AFG20090207n1720.html

• Horseplay and guns don’t mix

Notable

• Afghan Soldier fires on US troops

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/12/AFG20091229n2441.html

At 1130D* during the resupply of a MI8 helicopter in BMG ( Fob Columbus) 1x ANA soldier opened fire against coalition forces with the intent to kill them in FOB Todd

Guardian story at the time:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/29/afghan-soldier-us-base-shooting

• Afghan Policeman kills 2 US Soldiers

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/10/AFG20091002n2218.html

CO REPORTING 1 ANP SHOT 5 US AND KILLED 2 OTHER ANP

CBS report at the time:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/03/world/main5360910.shtml