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

December 2, 2008 7:48:21 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Will an Afghan Surge Work? Skeptics See Trouble

Posted Sep 3, 08 5:10 PM CDT in World,  US,  Politics 

(Newser) – McCain and Obama rarely agree on foreign policy, but both are pushing for a mini-surge of about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan to rein in the Taliban. Will the Iraq model work here? The mountainous terrain, raging US suspicion, a porous border with Pakistan, and the challenge of telling apart homegrown militants from civilians raise serious questions, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Analysts say Afghanistan’s insurgency is different from Iraq’s. Here, the insurgency is more rural, recruits are easier to find, and winning over the Pashtuns has proved a challenge. Applying Iraq’s surge tactics may even backfire. "If they put more US troops in my village, there will be more bloodshed," says an Afghani from a province bordering Kabul.

Source Chicago Tribune

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

Related Newser Stories

  • US Suspects Pakistani Group Behind Mumbai Terror

    Nov 29, 08 7:41 AM CST
    US Suspects Pakistani Group Behind Mumbai Terror American intelligence experts are focusing on a Pakistani group as they help India probe the Mumbai attacks, the New York Times reports. Counterterrorism authorities won't say what makes them suspect Kashmir-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, but it’s believed that at least one member has been captured for interrogation. The militant group is thought to have links to al-Qaeda.
    More »

  • Pakistanis Fear US May Be Out to Carve Up Nation

    Nov 23, 08 7:35 AM CST
    Pakistanis Fear US May Be Out to Carve Up Nation Pakistanis are fearful that the US is part of an India-Afghanistan plot to carve up the nation, writes Jane Perlez in the New York Times. Those worries have been fueled by a theoretical map drawn by US neoconservatives featuring a shrunken Pakistan and larger neighbors. “One of the biggest fears is the collaboration between India and Afghanistan to destroy Pakistan,” said a Pakistani insider. “Some feel the United States is colluding in this.”
    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 »

  • Karzai Vows to Protect Taliban Chief in Talks

    Nov 16, 08 3:50 PM CST
    Karzai Vows to Protect Taliban Chief in Talks Afghan President Hamid Karzai will ensure the safety of Taliban chief Mullah Mohammed Omar if he agrees to peace talks, the Washington Post reports. "If I say I want protection for Mullah Omar, the international community has two choices: remove me or leave," Karzai said, referring to US demands for Omar to be turned over.
    More »

  • Bin Laden Isolated, Struggling: Hayden

    Nov 14, 08 2:32 AM CST
    Bin Laden Isolated, Struggling: Hayden Seven years after 9/11, terror chief Osama bin Laden remains alive and free, but he's struggling, CIA director Michael Hayden said in a speech yesterday: "He appears to be largely isolated from the day-to-day operations of the organization he nominally heads." Hayden said bin Laden spends much of his time moving from place to place to save his life, and remains isolated from all but a few trusted aides.
    More »

An Afghan man looks at burning materials set ablaze by angry villagers after an alleged raid by foreign and Afghan forces conducted by U.S. troops in Kabul Monday.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
A US soldier fires an artillery piece at a US base in Nuristan province east of Kabul, Afghanistan Monday.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
US soldiers walk around at a US base in Nuristan province east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday. The Pentagon is pushing a 10,000-troop surge to help contain the Taliban.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Pakistan • al-Qaeda • Taliban • Afghanistan war • surge


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics 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 »