US revises Afghan strategy

With violence at an all time high, the new US strategy will focus on destroying al Qaeda’s safe havens as America continues efforts to roll back the Taliban insurgency.

A further 4,000 US troops will be sent to the region, in addition to the 17,000 already ordered. That brings America’s total contribution to almost 60,000 along with 30,000 other foreign forces. Reports suggest the UK is also preparing to boost its 8,000 strong commitment. While a leading Taliban commander has already poured scorn on the proposed plan, the revised policy will centre on training Afghan security forces. US officials say they will also aggressively pursue a dual approach to the region, joining both Afghanistan and Pakistan policy into a single challenge. The West believe Osama bin Laden is being sheltered in hide-outs in tribal areas on the Pakistani Afghan border. President Obama has said al-Qaeda and its allies are plotting fresh attacks on the US. However, targeting militants has been a controversial issue, with US robot strikes angering Pakistan.More about: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, USA

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