Obama policy feeds violence on Kabul’s doorstep focus 08/17/2010

Obama policy feeds violence on Kabul’s doorstep

focus 08/17/2010 KABUL — Increased fighting between the Taliban and Nato on the doorstep of Afghanistan’s capital reflects the growing difficulties faced by the United States’ landmark counter-insurgency strategy. As US-led forces try to secure large towns and cities from Taliban infiltration, the lesson from Kabul’s southwest fringe is that extra troops are alienating war-weary residents who resent central control. Over the past 18 months nearly 4,000 US soldiers have poured into the provinces of Wardak and Logar, both Taliban hotbeds neighboring Kabul. The increased presence is part of a general surge ordered by President Barack Obama under a counter-insurgency strategy designed to reverse the Taliban’s momentum and allow American forces to start withdrawing next year. The Taliban were chased out of the area when their government was toppled in the 2001 US-led invasion, but returned in 2005, exploiting poor development and governance just a stone’s throw from the capital. A Western security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deployment of new American units had made things worse. “We’ve definitely seen a rise in the number of incidents this year, especially in the Pashtun districts,” he said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100817com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL JBC: Still a Palace adjunct FRONTLINE No hope for credibility FEATURE Kabul’s frustrated expats run the streets NO HOLDS BARRED An open letter to P-Noy AN OUTSIDERS VIEW A mad desire to read focus Obama policy feeds violence on Kabul’s doorstep FEATURE Petraeus holds out prospect of reconciliation with Taliban