Coalition "Routes" Taliban

With the Taliban resurgent these past few months, it’s nice to see headlines like this:

Coalition Routes Taliban, Extremists in Ghazni —

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2006 — Coalition forces serving in the Andar District of Ghazni Province dealt Taliban and foreign fighters a string of sharp defeats as the main effort of Operation Mountain Fury continued. Afghan National Army soldiers from the 203rd ANA Corps, along with Connecticut National Guardsmen from Task Force Iron Gray, scattered militants operating in Andar, inflicting heavy casualties along the way as coalition forces progressed through Ghazni Province.

….

“I think we have the initiative,” added Army Lt. Col. Todd Brown, a foreign area officer attached to the Spartan staff. “The enemy is being forced to react to our actions on the battlefield.”

What’s the difference between the Taliban and extremists though? Nationality? Crazy adherence to this silly ideology seems to transcend borders well enough. Just sayin’.