AFGHANISTAN: A last chance, By Karl F. Inderfurth

The battle for Afghan "hearts and minds" is in danger of being lost because of rising civilian casualties and war damage. The Karzai government is losing the support of Afghans due to widespread corruption, the failure to provide needed social services, and its inability to control large parts of its own territory. A U.S. National Intelligence Estimate says Al Qaeda has established a new safe haven on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Meanwhile, international support for "staying the course" in Afghanistan is slipping. The Taliban surge in suicide bombings, hostage taking and killing of foreigners is taking its toll.