In Need of a New Strategy in Afghanistan

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Published: Mar 02, 2012

In Need of a New Strategy in Afghanistan

Does anyone know what our policy is in Afghanistan? President Obama announced in advance a withdrawal of surge troops that have had a noticeable effect in keeping the Taliban on the run. Do you know of any other war in which one side tells the other when it's quitting before achieving victory? Oh, but we're training Afghan police to replace our troops.

The only problem with that strategy is the increase in the number of those police who are killing our soldiers. Four Americans have been shot dead in recent days by our supposed friends and allies because of an accidental burning of some Qurans that were used by jihadists to send messages to each other.

Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia has called for the establishment of an outside panel of experts to study U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's a good idea because the current strategy doesn't appear to be much of a strategy at all. And Americans are being killed because of a lack of one, the president's latest apology not withstanding.

In Denver, I'm Cal Thomas.

Publication date: March 5, 2012

In Need of a New Strategy in Afghanistan