The United States is stepping up efforts to improve security in Afghanistan, with 62,000 American troops stationed there. More than 160 Americans have died there so far this year — three more were killed on Wednesday.
Which has many people wondering: What will be the measure of their success?
As Nick Spicer of Worldfocus partner Al Jazeera English reports, it’s a question the Obama administration has been thinking about as well.
Nora Bensahel is a senior political scientist at the Rand Corporation and an expert on American efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. She explains the differences between the conflicts and objectives in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Bensahel addresses President Obama’s metrics system against terrorism and the Taliban-led insurgency. She also describes the upswing in violence in Iraq following the U.S. pullout from Iraqi cities in June, but says enduring acts of violence may be an indication of the weakness of the Iraqi government.
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08/19/2009 :: 07:37:57 PM
Emile Rihani Says:
During the bombings in Baghdad, a political meeting was taking place.
The effects of the explosions reached the building, roofs collapsed, and out of the dust emerged CHANTING.
It was chilling, if you understood the implications!