Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 11:04:45 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Troubled Afghan Mission Under Review

Posted Dec 16, 07 7:37 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – With insurgent violence in Afghanistan soaring to the highest level since 2001, the Bush administration and NATO have begun three sweeping reviews of a mission that was considered a success, but now seems increasingly threatened. Lack of coordination in fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda, rising opium production, and the weakness of the Kabul government are the focus of the probes, the New York Times reports.

An Iraq-style surge in US troops to counter the Taliban's dramatic rebound is not possible, the New York Times notes, because the forces aren't available. The reviews will be undertaken by the Pentagon, the State Department, and NATO. NATO's efforts are strained by lack of political support in Europe. Said one expert: “The mission in Afghanistan has been suffering from neglect on all sides.”

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Taliban Stockpiles Surplus Opium

    Nov 28, 08 11:05 AM CST
    Taliban Stockpiles Surplus Opium The Taliban is stockpiling opium in Afghanistan, where high yields in recent years have led to a surplus, the UN drug office says. Poppy cultivation is less widespread than it once was, but the high yield offsets the contraction—and allowed the Taliban to make $300 million off opium last year, the New York Times reports. "With two to three hundred million dollars, a lot of war effort can be funded," said the UN official.
    More »

  • Taliban Mullahs Reject Karzai's Offer of Talks

    Nov 17, 08 9:00 AM CST
    Taliban Mullahs Reject Karzai's Offer of Talks Taliban leaders have rejected Hamid Karzai's guarantee of safe passage in exchange for beginning peace talks, reports Reuters. The militants instead reiterated demands for all foreign troops to leave Afghanistan before any negotiating begins—a condition the Afghan president rejected as unacceptable. Some analysts don't see Mullah Mohammad Omar's rejection as a total loss, however.
    More »

  • Obama to Focus on bin Laden, Revamp Afghan Approach

    Nov 11, 08 8:39 AM CST
    Obama to Focus on bin Laden, Revamp Afghan Approach Barack Obama is drastically rethinking the war effort in Afghanistan, his security advisers tell the Washington Post, including making the capture of Osama bin Laden a top priority. The administration’s fledgling plan calls for a more aggressive regional approach, possibly involving help from Iran. Obama also favors the ongoing negotiations between the Afghan government and the “reconcilable” portions of the Taliban. More »

  • Afghans Hard-Pressed to Hold Gains in War on Opium

    Nov 9, 08 8:58 AM CST
    Afghans Hard-Pressed to Hold Gains in War on Opium Afghanistan’s second-largest opium-producing province has eradicated the drug, a remarkable feat but one that farmers fear is short-lived, the Christian Science Monitor reports. NATO-backed efforts in the country that makes 90% of Earth's opium have reduced poppy harvests, violence, and corruption nationwide. But to grow anything else, the region needs water, and locals doubt the government will deliver on promises to build dams. More »

  • $3.2B Opium Stash May Be Taliban's Secret Weapon

    Oct 30, 08 4:57 AM CDT
    $3.2B Opium Stash May Be Taliban's Secret Weapon A huge pile of missing opium has international law enforcement agencies worried, Time reports. The UN estimates up to 8,000 tons of opium—enough to supply every addict in the world for two years—have disappeared between Afghanistan's poppy fields and the world market in recent years. Experts fear the Taliban is building a mammoth stockpile of the drug.
    More »

A soldier of the Afghan National Army stands guard as Afghan boys look on during a patrol in Musa Qala in Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec 15, 2007. A week ago the Taliban controlled this southern town and...   (Associated Press)
U.S. soldier patrol in Humvees in Musa Qala in Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. A week ago the Taliban controlled this southern town and the dozens of heroin-processing labs here. Today, hundreds...   (Associated Press)
A British soldier talks to Afghan boys during a patrol in Musa Qala in Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. A week ago the Taliban controlled this southern town and the dozens of heroin-processing labs...   (Associated Press)
British soldiers patrol in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec 15, 2007. The town of Musa Qala is situated in the northern section of Helmand province, the world's largest poppy-growing region and...   (Associated Press)
A British soldier looks on during a patrol in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec 15, 2007. The town of Musa Qala is situated in the northern section of Helmand province, the world's largest poppy-growing...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Afghanistan • al-Qaeda • Taliban • NATO • insurgents • surge • opium


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »