Wire: Obama Strategy Failing in Afghanistan; AP Analysis

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2009 -- Newswire services this evening reported that it has been a summer of setbacks in Afghanistan -- with rising casualties, a divisive election and growing public doubts about the war in the United States and among key allies.

In an analysis piece, The Associated Press noted that the year began with President Barack Obama promising a new beginning for an old war -- one critics claimed had been long ignored and under-resourced by the Bush administration as the military pursued the conflict in Iraq.

As part of a new strategy, Obama ordered 21,000 troops to Afghanistan and replaced the top U.S. commander with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was charged with shifting the focus from killing insurgents to protecting Afghan civilians, AP said.

At the same time, AP noted, the Obama administration promised to build up the capabilities of the Afghan government, accelerate the training of Afghan soldiers and police and help the Afghan leadership combat corruption and the flourishing drug trade, which helps finance the insurgency.

Months later, Obama's strategy appears to be faltering, AP said.

See link below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: Analysis: Afghan summer brings reversals

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