The Other Fronts

Colin Kahl argues Iraq is not the "central front in the war on terrorism":

In this environment, the United States should be able to gather sufficient intelligence to effectively target AQI and prevent a safe haven from emerging in Iraq even as our troops draw down. We need to seize this opportunity to shift more resources to confront the challenge posed by Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bush has announced the withdrawal of 8,000 U.S. forces (including one combat brigade) from Iraq by next March, and the deployment to Afghanistan of one additional Marine battalion in November and an Army brigade in January. Given the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, it is clear that more is needed. And the sooner the better.