Combat Deaths In Afghanistan Outpaced Iraq's In May

Suicide Attack In South Afghanistan

From The Houston Chronicle:

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — It's a grim gauge of U.S. wars going in opposite directions: American and allied combat deaths in Afghanistan in May passed the monthly toll in Iraq for the first time.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates used the statistical comparison to dramatize his point to NATO defense ministers that they need to do more to get Afghanistan moving in a better direction.

He wants more allied combat troops, more trainers and more public commitment.

More positively, the May death totals point to security improvements in Iraq that few thought likely a year ago.

But the deterioration in Afghanistan suggests a troubling additional possibility: a widening of the war to Pakistan, where the Taliban and al-Qaida have found haven.

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News From Other Sources:
More US Forces Killed In Afghanistan Last Month Than Iraq -- Donklephant
May's combat deaths in Afghanistan outnumber Iraq -- AP
Coalition toll surpasses Iraq deaths for first time -- Guardian

My Comment: This war is heating up. When I read the blog posts from servicemen serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, it is clear that Afghanistan is the dangerous place for a soldier today.