Afpak Crisis

During the last few weeks of March, GOC focuses in on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Things are heating up in Pakistan as the President and Prime Minister face-off over the reappointment of Supreme Court judges, particularly the former Chief Justice, that former President Musharrraf had fired. The U.S. needs Pakistan to assist in stabilizing Afghanistan, and to help stabilize the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATAs). The U.S. has been bombing in Pakistan's territory and the Taliban groups in the FATAs have called a truce with each other to focus on the U.S. and NATO entering their territories.

In Afghanistan, instability continues as the U.S. shifts focus from Iraq to the "forgotten front" of Afghanistan, now remembered. President Obama has ordered a troop increase of 17,000, while his Defense Secretary says the U.S. will be in Afghanistan for years to come. Obama promised to not hide the cost of the two wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) from the American people any longer.

Many groups are calling for the U.S. to lead with diplomacy and find a way to make peace in the region. Obama has said he would consider talks with more moderate elements of the Taliban.

Visit our Talking Points Blog page to learn more about Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to see our list of web resources on these issues.