(Newser)
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Leon Panetta arrived in Afghanistan amid worsening violence today, and he wasn't shy about laying the blame for that violence on a once-vital ally. "It is difficult to achieve peace in Afghanistan as long as there is safe haven for terrorists in Pakistan," said the defense secretary, according to Reuters. He urged Pakistan to root out those safe havens, and to crack down on the Haqqani network in particular. "We are reaching the limits of our patience."
"We have made that clear time and time again, and will continue to make clear that it is an intolerable situation," Panetta continued. "We have to have Pakistan cooperation to take steps to control the Haqqani threat from their side of the border." Panetta is in Afghanistan to evaluate the war's progress, according to the AP. He said he wants to learn more about recent attacks that signal insurgents have become much more organized, and that he would discuss NATO's ability to deal with the Taliban and Haqqani network with Marine Gen. John Allen.
