Progress in Afghanistan called hard but not ‘hopeless’

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Source: The Washington Post

President Obama’s nominee to become the new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan told lawmakers Wednesday that the death of Osama bin Laden last month marked “an important step” toward core U.S. goals in the country but that more hard work lies ahead to prevent al-Qaeda from regaining its safe havens there.

In a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ryan C. Crocker, a veteran diplomat called out of retirement to take over the difficult post in Kabul, said making progress in Afghanistan is hard but not “hopeless.”

He came under questioning from skeptical senators from both parties who advocate a reduced U.S. role in Afghanistan after a decade of involvement that has cost nearly $19 billion. The nominee argued that the United States must continue investing in the country to keep it from again becoming a haven for terrorists. He told the committee that “if Iraq was hard . . . Afghanistan in many respects is harder.” But that does not mean success there is “impossible,” he said.

Obama, meanwhile, spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai for about an hour by video teleconference Wednesday morning, covering topics including bin Laden’s death and recent civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes. The White House said the two discussed the impact of the al-Qaeda leader’s death “on the fight against terrorism and on regional dynamics,” as well as the “transition to Afghan leadership for security,” among other subjects.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/progress-in-afghanistan-called-hard-but-not-hopeless/2011/06/08/AGLyFCMH_singlePage.html

[msongs]

1. yes there's still billions in graft and war profiteering money to squander nt

[bemildred]

2. Progress towards what? nt