Busy in Iraq, U.S. faces surging violence in Afghanistan

[laststeamtrain]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

Busy in Iraq, U.S. faces surging violence in Afghanistan
Jonathan S. Landay | McClatchy Newspapers

last updated: April 15, 2008 11:40:14 PM

WASHINGTON — While America's attention remains focused on Iraq, violence is escalating in Afghanistan, worrying senior U.S. defense officials and commanders who're struggling to find some 7,000 more American and European troops to combat resurgent Taliban and al Qaida forces.

There are indications that Islamic militants may have adopted a new strategy of avoiding U.S and NATO forces and staging attacks in provinces that haven't seen major unrest and on easy targets such as aid organizations and poorly trained Afghan police.

A roadside bomb reportedly killed two policemen and injured three Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, a day after insurgents killed 11 police officers.

A majority of America's NATO allies continue to balk at U.S. requests to send thousands more of their troops to Afghanistan. At the same time, the renewed violence in Iraq and the White House decision to suspend further American troop withdrawals from Iraq this summer will make it harder for the Pentagon to send more American forces to Afghanistan next year as President Bush has promised.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/33799.html

[NM Independent]

1. The forgotten war drums along.

People keep talking about 100 years in Iraq with McCain.

Nobody wants to admit that we'll be lucky to get out of Afghanistan in another 10, and we've already been there longer than Iraq.

We'll be really lucky if we don't end up in Iran while Pakistan turns away from being our ally. I see a big house of cards coming down.

Is there any hope? I remember people always talking about "peace in the middle east." Was that always just a stupid fantasy? It seems that way now.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Just how many messes can republicans make before those who vote for them

wake the fuck up???