ISSUE: The war in Afghanistan

OUR VIEW: U.S. must face realities of 8-year war, shift focus to al-Qaida

The significance of the date, Sept. 1, 2009, did not get a lot of media attention in the United States. But in Europe, the 70th anniversary of the beginning of World War II was marked with ceremonies and vows to never forget the horror of the world at war and the lessons learned.

Observances came just days ahead of America remembering another nightmare, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It’s been eight years since that fateful day that produced the worst assault on America’s homeland in history. It was shortly thereafter that America, with NATO allies, went to war in Afghanistan to root out the al-Qaida terrorists responsible for the attacks and to stamp out the bases of the worldwide Islamic terror organization.

There’s reason to believe we’ve been successful to a point in that mission, as al-Qaida operations are apparently limited compared to the past. But even as the threat of re-establishment of bases is real, the American war effort in Afghanistan is no longer focused on al-Qaida. We are continuing a war largely against the Taliban in an effort to prop up a government that “controls” not even half the country. The prospects of “winning,” certainly with any expediency, are non-existent.

Just this past week, in the face of growing U.S. casualties and a lack of support among the allies we have left with us in Afghanistan, U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of forces in the Afghan war, said a new strategy is needed to defeat the Taliban.

He said the war there can be won but not without changes. And although he didn’t say it yet – not without more U.S. troops.

“The situation is Afghanistan is serious, McChrystal said, and success “demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort.”

It remains unclear whether the Obama administration is willing to further expand the commitment in Afghanistan – and whether it should.

U.S. forces already are being increased by 21,000 to 68,000. The coalition total is 110,000.

Washington Post columnist George Will writes: “Counterinsurgency theory concerning the time and ratio of forces required to protect the population indicates that, nationwide, Afghanistan would need hundreds of thousands of coalition troops, perhaps for a decade or more. That is inconceivable.”

Inconceivable indeed. As much as the United States has shifted focus to the war in Afghanistan and away from Iraq, we remain very obligated in the latter country as well. The success, at least for now, of the government in Iraq does not mean similar strategies and troop escalations will produce similar results in Afghanistan.

The new strategy in Afghanistan, as expounded by retired Gen. Wesley Clark and others, should be a focus on al-Qaida. That would mean pulling away from war with the Taliban and focusing on the border with Pakistan, where al-Qaida operates and remains potent.

Difficult decisions must be made. And as our national leadership makes them, they too must vow to remember the lessons of war, including those learned already in a conflict in Afghanistan that has seen American involvement extend longer than in the great war that began 70 years ago.

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