What about Afghanistan?

The U.S. has opened historic diplomatic relations with Iran for the issue of aiding in Iraqi stability while operations in Afghanistan appear to be taking a lower priority, Karl F. Inderfurth, a former State Department official argues in an op-ed in Tuesday’s International Herald Tribune. While the Iraqi crisis certainly deserves attention, the war in Afghanistan has the support of the international community and both sides of the aisle in the U.S, Inderfurth says.

As the Taliban increases its influence, yet again, Inderfurth asks, “Is there a danger of losing in Afghanistan?” Six years after the initial removal of the Taliban, civilian casualties are at an all time high with little chance of an end in sight. Last year, 230 Afghan civilians died as a result of U.S. and NATO air and ground operations. Since March 2007, more than 135 civilians have been killed and more than 2,000 have been left homeless due to coalition operations.

The causalities have resulted in an increased level disgust with the presence of U.S. and NATO troops within the borders; triggering demonstrations and motions to set a withdrawal date within the Afghan Parliament. Unless methods are implemented to ensure zero tolerance for civilian deaths, the crisis in Afghanistan will continue to worsen.

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