U.S. offensive aims to turn page in Afghan war
6 Feb
But even if all cards fall in NATO’s favor, conflict could persist for years
KABUL – A new and possibly decisive chapter of the Afghan war is unfolding. The U.S. is preparing a major attack on the Taliban, the militants are being squeezed in their Pakistani sanctuaries, and the Afghan government is trying to draw them into peace talks.
While “not prepared to say we’ve turned a corner,” the top U.S. commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, told reporters at a NATO meeting Thursday that he is more optimistic than last summer and now believes the situation is no longer deteriorating.
Much could still go wrong. Even if all the cards fall in NATO’s favor, the conflict will likely persist for years.
But the U.S. and its partners now have a better shot at blunting (more…)
