Some Central Asian states, with help from Moscow, made their territory available for logistical and support bases for U.S. and NATO operations into the country.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Pakistan on Aug. 26 for meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss the stalled reconciliation process with the Afghan Taliban, a senior government official said, NBC News reported.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Aug. 24 that his government has resumed talks with the United States over a proposed security pact known as the Bilateral Security Agreement, Xinhua reported.
The United States faces the challenge of the first-ever political power-sharing agreement with a jihadist movement following the departure of the Afghan president.
In its first direct talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban, the United States must maneuver complex relations with al Qaeda as well as changes to the Afghan constitution.
The United States has shifted focus from Iraq to Afghanistan. At its height, the surge will take force levels in Afghanistan to nearly 100,000 U.S. and some 40,000 International Security Assistance Force troops -- combined, more than the Soviets had at the height of their occupation. The U.S. strategy is ambitious and has an aggressive timetable, making the current developments of pivotal importance for the American effort there.
