NATO Hopes To Undercut Taliban With 'Surge' Of Projects

Afghan Winter Patrol

From The Washington Post:

KABUL -- NATO alliance troops facing ever more aggressive Taliban insurgents are planning a winter "development surge" of civil works projects in eastern Afghanistan designed to win over tribes in regions near the Pakistan border and to prevent their sons from joining the Taliban's ranks, according to military officials here.

At the same time, troops will keep up armed pressure with a winter offensive that seeks to get a head start on blunting the Taliban's traditional spring fighting season.

In a series of recent interviews, U.S. military and NATO officials said that reversing recent gains by Taliban forces will require more troops, time, confidence-building among the Afghan populace, and cooperation from Pakistan in denying the guerrillas sanctuary inside its borders.

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My Comment: NATO's strategy this winter is to keep the Taliban off-balanced. Unfortunately, they are lacking the manpower to kick the enemy out and to keep them out. More troops are necessary .... but this is not feasible in the short term.

As for fighting and patrolling in winter, I live in Northern Canada .... walking in winter outside is not an easy task .... let alone fighting an enemy that is hidden and waiting for spring.