National Security Network

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Afghanistan

Focus on the Greatest Danger

Afghanistan
Terrorist groups plotting from safe havens on Afghanistan's borders are the greatest threat to our security. Yet the Bush administration let itself be distracted from Afghanistan: now the Taliban insurgency is growing stronger, and the weak government of Afghanistan is threatened. Failure in Afghanistan will again allow Al Qaeda to operate unchecked. The U.S. must redouble its efforts in Afghanistan: by hunting terrorists, by increasing troop levels, by reengaging allies, by increasing reconstruction efforts, and by protecting and supporting the people of Afghanistan.
Read the full paper: The Progressive Vision on Afghanistan »

Afghanistan

Military Leaders Reaffirm Need to Shift from Iraq to Afghanistan

Report 28 August 2008
Yesterday Marine Corps Commandant, Gen. James Conway, reaffirmed the fact that we need to focus more aggressively on Afghanistan instead of Iraq saying that “the economy of force is not necessarily working.” Conway is just the latest in a long line of senior military officials who have taken this position, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mullen.
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Afghanistan

Administration Agrees To Increase Forces in Afghanistan – But Will It Also Decrease Levels In Iraq?

Report 20 August 2008
The Bush Administration finds itself pinned by a dilemma of its own making: Yesterday the Bush administration approved the request from Gen. McKiernan for three additional brigades to shore up the beleaguered effort in Afghanistan, but it announced no corresponding withdrawals from Iraq, despite indications that it would not be possible to increase levels in Afghanistan without either reducing force levels in Iraq or once again increasing Army deployments from 12 to 15 months
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Afghanistan

NSN Daily Update: Security Rapidly Deteriorating Outside Kabul

Report 14 August 2008
The escalating violence in Afghanistan is increasingly encroaching on the capital Kabul, threatening the government and endangering reconstruction efforts.
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Afghanistan

John McCain Has Consistently Neglected Afghanistan

Report 16 July 2008
While progressives have led on Afghanistan for the past six years, John McCain has been absent.
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Afghanistan

Progressives Have Always Called for a Greater Focus on Afghanistan

Report 15 July 2008
Since 2002 progressives have been making the case that Iraq is distracting us from the main fight against Al Qaeda.
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Afghanistan

Time to Focus on the Greatest Danger

Report 3 July 2008
The fight to stabilize Afghanistan and drive out al Qaeda and the Taliban for good has been stalled by Washington’s misbegotten fixation on Iraq.
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Afghanistan

NATO Alliance Struggles in Afghanistan in the Wake of U.S. Neglect and Failed Diplomacy

Report 12 June 2008
Perhaps no theater is as important to NATO’s future as Afghanistan, but bitter disagreement over the war in Iraq, as well as policy choices in Afghanistan, and the resulting backlash in European public opinion, has made it politically difficult for European leaders to increase their commitments.
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Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Opium Crisis Undermines Its Long-term Stability

Report 13 May 2008
In plain view of the United States and the international community, the opium trade is overwhelming Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
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Afghanistan

Afghanistan Reconstruction: The Missing Link

Report 17 April 2008
The long-term success of counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan means denying the country to Al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist groups as a safe haven – which means helping the Afghan government become sufficiently stable, representative and effective that its citizens prefer it to the promises and threats of extremists.
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Afghanistan

Time to Focus on the Greatest Danger

Report 18 March 2008
The fight to stabilize Afghanistan and drive out Al Qaeda and the Taliban for good has been stalled by Washington’s misbegotten fixation on Iraq.
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