THIS week General John Nicholson, the commander of America’s forces in Afghanistan, completed a review of what will be needed to contain the growing insurgent threat posed by the Taliban and its allies. After reading his recommendations, Barack Obama will have to make a decision he surely hoped to pass on to the next president: whether to ramp up American troop numbers in Afghanistan again.
General Nicholson has probably asked Mr Obama at least to halt his planned reduction of America’s troop levels from 9,800 to 5,500 by the end of the year. Mr Obama has often seemed to think he could end the war in Afghanistan simply by declaring it over. But the enemy has not cooperated. Afghan forces have fought bravely since the end of 2014, when NATO combat troops formally left. But they were not ready to cope with the sudden departure of their allies, while the Taliban remained resilient and capable.
The Afghans are suffering losses that American commanders warn are unsustainable (see table). Not since 2001 have the Taliban held as much territory as they now do. Civilian casualties are mounting, as Afghan soldiers have been...Continue reading
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