A large part of President Obama’s early foreign policy is shifting the war focus from Iraq to Afghanistan.
But it can’t be called “the war in Afghanistan” anymore: the war against the Taliban has spilled over into Pakistan.
The U.S. has expressed the desire to step up the intensity of the conflict. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked the U.S. to stand tough against the Taliban. At the same time, he has expressed criticism over U.S. air strikes.
According to the Afghan government, recent strikes early last week killed around 130 civilians. These numbers mark one of the deadliest incidents since the U.S. entered the country in 2001. The U.S. government said this number of casualties is “grossly exaggerated.”
Can the U.S. afford to keep bombing Afghanistan and Pakistan? Do these strikes really undermine the local people’s view of the U.S. and Afghan governments? Are troops on the ground needed in place of air strikes?
How willing is Obama to go into the extreme northern areas of Pakistan? Will troops be taken out of Iraq to fight the Taliban in Pakistan?
Other Websites