Afghanistan Commander Calls for More Troops, Now

The top US commander in Afghanistan today asked for more troops, as well as additional political and economic aid, "as quickly as possible" to combat a growing influx of foreign insurgents in the country, the AP reports. The fight against Islamic militants is going to get harder before it gets any easier, Gen. David McKiernan told Pentagon reporters.

Fighters entering the country through neighboring Pakistan include Chechens, Uzbeks, Saudis, and Europeans, he said, and it's too early to tell if recent Pakistani military operations will have much of an effect on cross-border attacks. Violence in Afghanistan has risen 30% since 2007, and already more US soldiers have died than in any year since 2001.
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