SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
File photo of Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) US General Stanley McChrystal (R) in Afghanistan. McChrystal said his troop surge could lead to a negotiated peace with the Taliban, in an interview published Monday ahead of a major conference this week on the war. (AFP/File/Manan Vatsyayana)
McChrystal Hopes for Taliban Deal
An
increase in the number of foreign troops in Afghanistan could lead to a
negotiated peace with the Taliban, the commander of Nato forces in the
country has said.
Stanley McChrystal, in an interview to the London Financial Times,
said he hoped increased troop levels would weaken the Taliban enough
for them to accept a peace deal and bring an end to the war.
Jan 25, 2010
An
increase in the number of foreign troops in Afghanistan could lead to a
negotiated peace with the Taliban, the commander of Nato forces in the
country has said.
Stanley McChrystal, in an interview to the London Financial Times,
said he hoped increased troop levels would weaken the Taliban enough
for them to accept a peace deal and bring an end to the war.
"As a soldier, my personal feeling is that there's been enough fighting," McChrystal said in the article published on Monday.
"I believe that a political solution to all conflicts is the inevitable outcome. And it's the right outcome."
His
comments come amid preparations for a major conference in London
- involving more than 60 countries - on the conflict in Afghanistan.
'Way forward'
McChrystal said the arrival of an extra 30,000 US troops this year should deliver "very demonstrably positive" progress.
"It's not my job to extend olive branches, but it is my job to help
set conditions where people in the right positions can have options on
the way forward," he said.
The additional troops, announced by Barack Obama, the US president, in December, will add to the 70,000 US troops already there.
More than 113,000 international soldiers are fighting the Taliban
under US and Nato command in a conflict which started with the US-led
invasion of 2001.
Thursday's conference in London is expected to conclude that
international forces will face up to five more years battling the
Taliban, according to a communique obtained by a British newspaper.
'Physical security'
The Times reported that Afghan forces will take the lead in
"the majority of operations in the insecure areas of Afghanistan within
three years".
It said the forces will be given up to half a decade for "physical security".
The British defence ministry, which has the second biggest
contingent of troops in Afghanistan after the US, said it did not
comment on leaked documents.
But it said a decision on pulling out troops would be based on "conditions, not arbitrary timelines".
Source:
Agencies
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
An
increase in the number of foreign troops in Afghanistan could lead to a
negotiated peace with the Taliban, the commander of Nato forces in the
country has said.
Stanley McChrystal, in an interview to the London Financial Times,
said he hoped increased troop levels would weaken the Taliban enough
for them to accept a peace deal and bring an end to the war.
"As a soldier, my personal feeling is that there's been enough fighting," McChrystal said in the article published on Monday.
"I believe that a political solution to all conflicts is the inevitable outcome. And it's the right outcome."
His
comments come amid preparations for a major conference in London
- involving more than 60 countries - on the conflict in Afghanistan.
'Way forward'
McChrystal said the arrival of an extra 30,000 US troops this year should deliver "very demonstrably positive" progress.
"It's not my job to extend olive branches, but it is my job to help
set conditions where people in the right positions can have options on
the way forward," he said.
The additional troops, announced by Barack Obama, the US president, in December, will add to the 70,000 US troops already there.
More than 113,000 international soldiers are fighting the Taliban
under US and Nato command in a conflict which started with the US-led
invasion of 2001.
Thursday's conference in London is expected to conclude that
international forces will face up to five more years battling the
Taliban, according to a communique obtained by a British newspaper.
'Physical security'
The Times reported that Afghan forces will take the lead in
"the majority of operations in the insecure areas of Afghanistan within
three years".
It said the forces will be given up to half a decade for "physical security".
The British defence ministry, which has the second biggest
contingent of troops in Afghanistan after the US, said it did not
comment on leaked documents.
But it said a decision on pulling out troops would be based on "conditions, not arbitrary timelines".
Source:
Agencies
An
increase in the number of foreign troops in Afghanistan could lead to a
negotiated peace with the Taliban, the commander of Nato forces in the
country has said.
Stanley McChrystal, in an interview to the London Financial Times,
said he hoped increased troop levels would weaken the Taliban enough
for them to accept a peace deal and bring an end to the war.
"As a soldier, my personal feeling is that there's been enough fighting," McChrystal said in the article published on Monday.
"I believe that a political solution to all conflicts is the inevitable outcome. And it's the right outcome."
His
comments come amid preparations for a major conference in London
- involving more than 60 countries - on the conflict in Afghanistan.
'Way forward'
McChrystal said the arrival of an extra 30,000 US troops this year should deliver "very demonstrably positive" progress.
"It's not my job to extend olive branches, but it is my job to help
set conditions where people in the right positions can have options on
the way forward," he said.
The additional troops, announced by Barack Obama, the US president, in December, will add to the 70,000 US troops already there.
More than 113,000 international soldiers are fighting the Taliban
under US and Nato command in a conflict which started with the US-led
invasion of 2001.
Thursday's conference in London is expected to conclude that
international forces will face up to five more years battling the
Taliban, according to a communique obtained by a British newspaper.
'Physical security'
The Times reported that Afghan forces will take the lead in
"the majority of operations in the insecure areas of Afghanistan within
three years".
It said the forces will be given up to half a decade for "physical security".
The British defence ministry, which has the second biggest
contingent of troops in Afghanistan after the US, said it did not
comment on leaked documents.
But it said a decision on pulling out troops would be based on "conditions, not arbitrary timelines".
Source:
Agencies
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.