A White House review of President Barack Obama's Afghan war strategy (WashPost) confirmed that a July drawdown of U.S. troops is on track despite uneven progress. The president mandated the year-end review following his announcement of a thirty thousand troop surge in December 2009. Details released from the report suggest headway in clearing the Taliban from Kandahar and Helmand provinces, though other challenges remain. The report summary makes clear that the pace of withdrawal will be based on changing conditions on the ground (BusinessWeek).

Ambiguity about the drawdown is generating pressure from military commanders and Republicans who would like a measured reduction as well as Democrats who expect a prompt withdrawal (NYT). Leading up to the review, administration officials tried to downplay its significance as a strategic turning point. The summary indicates that old difficulties continue to plague the war effort including Afghan corruption and the persistence of terrorist safe havens in Pakistani border regions (WSJ). Observers suggest there is still disagreement within the Obama administration on questions like the overall scope of the war and how much to pressure the Pakistani government. The White House said these issues would be addressed in meetings of the National Security Council, and that these meetings would dictate the rate of withdrawal.

Analysis:

Andrew Exum of Foreign Policy outlines five "ways to win" in Afghanistan and reverse the deterioration of conditions in America's longest war.

Washington Post op-ed columnist George Will compares Taliban resistance to the 1968 North Vietnamese Tet Offensive.

CFR President Richard N. Haass says that as the United States moves away from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is an opportunity to reorient U.S. foreign policy.

This CFR Task Force Report examines the U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Background:

This Pakistan Crisis Guide from CFR offers a range of expert perspectives on Pakistan's history and future prospects.