Obama Will Have to Reconsider Afghanistan Goals
Mark Thompson, Time | December 16, 2008
The Taliban now control 72% of Afghanistan, up from 54% in 2007. ++ Many of the new US troops being sent will be placed around Kabul; Afghanistan cannot afford an army strong enough to control the whole country. ++ This leaves President Karzai's power limited. ++ International support is paying to increase local military from 160,000 to 215,000, but more are needed. ++ When that support runs dry, Afghanistan will once again have to rely on warlords to maintain security. ++ The US may have to accept less than a happy ending in Afghanistan.
