US failure in Afghanistan
By NAUMAN ASGHAR June 29, 2008 Today even after a long period of seven years, the US forces have not succeeded in dismantling the Taliban command structure in sensitive areas. The latest intelligence reports suggest that Taliban forces have retrenched in Farah bordering northwest Helmand, the province where about 8000 British troops are stationed. The Taliban's, beaten in conventional warfare, are now relying on suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks. On June 14, the Taliban fighters managed to help 11,000 prisoners escape by blasting the jail and killing the prison guards.
The prison raid was a serious blow to President Hamid Karzai as it came a day after the world donors pledged $420 billion to rebuild Afghanistan. Despite the presence of about 70,000 international troops mainly operating under NATO, the Taliban resistance aimed at toppling the US-backed government in Kabul has gained momentum in the past two years.
The Kandahar jailbreak has sent jitters among the western nations and now Afghanistan is replacing Iraq as the focus of "terror war." During the month of May, the violence has proved deadlier for the foreign forces as the coalition deaths rose to 23. The US at this time is caught between the Scylla of quitting Afghanistan and "getting hurt back home" and the Charbydes of continuing fighting without success.
The recent Taliban advance into Arghandab is embarrassing for both the NATO and Afghan forces as it is a very strategic area and the Taliban's can easily target their attacks in Kandahar. This area has pomegranate trees in abundance which can provide good cover for the Taliban. Local politics also goes a long way in giving a boost to the insurgency.
