October 15th, 2008 by Tariq

During the lead-up to the Iraq war, hawks were eager to make a connection between Iraq and the ongoing war against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Now it seems the inverse is true–but this time the intelligence seems plausible. The New York Times reports, “American military successes in Iraq have prompted growing numbers of well-trained “foreign fighters” to join the insurgency in Afghanistan instead, the Afghan defense minister said on Tuesday.” Patrick Barry at Democracy Arsenal also has some analysis up on this issue. Moreover, the Washington Post relates, “[t]he top U.N. representative for Afghanistan warned Tuesday that Taliban insurgents in the country are likely to step up attacks in coming weeks, before the onset of winter.” And the Christian Science Monitor has a piece stating that some Afghans prefer Taliban rule. In light of all this, the New York Times presents an editorial detailing several steps the administration can take, and advises the next president to “plot a swift, orderly exit from Iraq and begin a swift and serious buildup of troops and aid in Afghanistan — the real frontline in the war on terror.”

Posted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Taliban, US foreign policy, al-Qaeda |