August 21st, 2008 by Adam

In the wake of an insurgent attack that killed ten French soldiers, an editorial in the New York Times worries that success in Afghanistan is slipping away. The editorial suggests an increase in U.S. troops as over-reliance on air power has resulted in numerous civilian deaths, alienating Afghan citizens. The editorial also suggests greater cooperation with Afghanistan’s neighbors, increased assistance to improve development and governance, and urging Hamid Karzai’s government to crack down on corruption.

Offering a different strategy is Seumas Milne, who writes in the Guardian (UK) that a military victory is not possible in Afghanistan even with a long-term Western military presence. Milne concludes that, “The only way to end the war is the withdrawal of foreign troops as part of a political settlement negotiated with all the significant players in the country, including the Taliban, and guaranteed by the regional powers and neighbouring states.”

Posted in Afghanistan, Military, Taliban, US foreign policy |