White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan -- NPR
The Bush administration is drawing up a new strategy for Afghanistan, an effort that comes as the top U.S. commander there, Gen. David McKiernan, issues another call for more troops to help stem the insurgency.
When the U.S. military first entered the country in late 2001, it made some quick and impressive gains, toppling the Taliban and driving them from their strongholds.
Since then, with the White House focused mainly on Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan has steadily deteriorated. McKiernan, the overall commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, says this past year has been particularly bad.
"I think we are in a very tough fight — a tough counterinsurgency fight," McKiernan says. "We're [at] a higher level of violence this year than we were this time last year. We are seeing a greater amount of insecurity in certain areas. The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility."
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My Comment: The headline is wrong. It should be .... White House prepares Afghan options for the President-elect.