EDITORIAL: Much longer stay
As our troops have just spent another Christmas in Afghanistan, there should be no surprise that the US commander in Kabul has sent what is described as the most emphatic signal yet from a senior American official that foreign forces will be needed long after the 2014 deadline set by President Barack Obama. General John R. Allen has emphasized the requirement for a long-term commitment beyond that date. As events unfold in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan and the spectre of sectarian bloodletting and political upheaval between Sunni and Shia (manipulated by meddlesome Iran) tragically returns to Baghdad after the departure of US forces, it is difficult to question this projection.
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