In bid to break Taliban, US embraces more firepower
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WASHINGTON — The US military has dramatically stepped up air strikes and manhunts in Afghanistan in a bid to weaken the Taliban, reflecting a return to “counter-terrorism” tactics.
Dropping more bombs and carrying out more raids by special operations forces underscores a sense of urgency in the war effort, as the White House prepares to release a strategy review and commanders try to change the dynamic of a conflict mired in stalemate.
In announcing a surge of 30,000 troops a year ago, President Barack Obama embraced the idea of a “counter-insurgency” strategy that focused less on firefights with the Taliban and more on securing key towns, training Afghan forces and bolstering local government.
But the need to cut off the insurgency’s supply routes to sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan has led to a renewed emphasis on more conventional “targeting” operations, said General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101217com3.html
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