AFP
01/31/2008
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WASHINGTON - The United States expressed concern Thursday that the international community could abandon Afghanistan, cautioning that success in the insurgency-wracked nation was "not assured."

"The greatest threat to Afghanistan's future is abandonment by the international community," Richard Boucher, the State Department's pointman for Afghanistan, told a Senate hearing on the turmoil in Afghanistan.

He said the mission in Afghanistan needed more troops and equipment, such as helicopters, pointing out that "too few of our allies have combat troops fighting the insurgents especially in the south."

Southern Afghanistan has seen the worst violence since the Taliban were ousted in the US-led invasion in 2001, after the September 11 terror attacks masterminded by Al-Qaeda, whose leaders were given sanctuary by the Taliban.

Several top experts, including retired US Marine Corps general James Jones, warned in separate reports Wednesday that Afghanistan could become a failed state.

The reports came amid new concerns over the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's commitment to providing more troops to fight a resurgent Taliban militia, whose control of the sparsely populated parts of Afghanistan was increasing.

"Success is possible but not assured," said Boucher, who came under intense questioning from Senators at the hearing. "Therefore, the international community needs to continue and expand its efforts."

"We expect more from our NATO allies; we have promised the Afghan people to assist in stabilizing their country, and we must give NATO personnel the tools they need to make good on that promise," he said.

Recent polls in Afghanistan reflect skepticism over the ability of President Hamid Karzai's government and the international community to tackle critical problems such as insecurity, weak governance, widespread corruption, a poor economy and unemployment.

British aid agency Oxfam warned this week of the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan unless Western countries made a "major change of direction" in their strategy.

On the Offensive The Washington Post, Editorial (07/04/2009)

What's Best for Afghanistan The ashington Post (07/04/2009)

In the fog, remember: victory is impossible in Afghanistan The Times, UK (07/04/2009)

Afghan roadside bomb kills senior British commander Reuters (07/04/2009)

'Incorruptible' Commandos Sign of Hope for Afghanistan's Future FOX News (07/04/2009)

Support pledged to presidential wannabes Pajhwok (07/04/2009)

2 US troops die in attack on base in Afghanistan The Associated Press (07/04/2009)

Insurgents Step Up Attacks on Marines The Washington Post (07/04/2009)

The strategy is sound – but success is not assured The Independent, UK (07/04/2009)

Karzai's pardons nullify drug court gains Boston Globe (07/04/2009)

Countries 'wasting money and blood' in Afghanistan ABC News (07/04/2009)

Siege Within Afghanistan Khaleej Times (07/04/2009)

U.S. Faces Resentment in Afghan Region The New York Times (07/02/2009)

U.S. troops in Afghanistan arouse curiosity Reuters (07/02/2009)

U.S. troops remember beloved Afghan worker The Washington Times (07/02/2009)

On the Afghanistan frontier, change may be at hand Los Angeles Times (07/02/2009)

Karzai Stadium reconstructed Pajhwok (07/02/2009)

Pakistan troops deployed at Afghan border The Associated Press (07/02/2009)

Two Views on Afghanistan Mission Der Spiegel (07/02/2009)

US, Afghans take first district in major assault AFP (07/02/2009)

Female legislator survives bomb attack as 4 guards injured in N Afghanistan Xinhua (07/02/2009)

US: American soldier captured in Afghanistan The Associated Press (07/02/2009)

Afghan sunrise for US Marines flying into battle AFP (07/02/2009)

U.S. begins major Afghan assault, soldier kidnapped Reuters (07/02/2009)

The British Experience of Tribal Militias, For Idiots Registan,net (07/01/2009)

MP case taken up four years after her election Pajhwok (07/01/2009)

Warlords comeback kings of Afghan elections Agence France-Presse (07/01/2009)

The Irresistible Illusion London Review of Books (07/01/2009)

New road threatens ancient Afghan site AFP (07/01/2009)

Key in Afghanistan: Economy, Not Military The Washington Post (07/01/2009)