A 15 February wire services report on the NATO (American) military operation at Marjah notes:  "Some troops complained that the strict rules issued by [General] McChrystal to spare civilians were making their job more difficult and dangerous.  Under the rules, troops cannot fire at people unless they commit a hostile act or show hostile intent.  U.S. soldiers operating near Marjah said the Taliban can fire on them, then set aside their weapon and walk freely out of a compound, possibly toward a weapons cache in another location."

Well, it's hard to comment on such a handicap without using some really hurtful words to describe it and the folks who dreamed it up.  As usual, our soldiers are better than our leaders.