U.S. Urges NATO to Increase Funding

U.S. security adviser Stephen Hadley had a meeting in Brussels with the NATO Secretary General, urging him to call for increased funding for NATO troops in Afghanistan. They want to execute a preemptive spring offensive against Taliban militants there. Afghan militias are commonly dormant during the winter, and become active launching offensives in the spring that last through late summer. The NATO Secretary General agreed with Mr. Hadley that easing the pressure on anti-government forces there would lead to Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for terrorists. I agree with their assessment. Additionally, the U.S. too often leaves countries that we become involved in, in worse shape than when we arrived. Afghanistan is a good example. As soon as the Soviets were defeated there, we left, leaving the door open for radical Islamists to fill the power vacuum. Certainly we have a moral obligation to finish the job we started there this time, not only for our own security, but for the welfare of the Afghan people as well. Agence France-Presse (AFP)