Oh Snap

The Afghanistan war is not going well.

According to the LA Times, "The Netherlands has become the first NATO ally to announce that it is quitting the fight in Afghanistan, following the collapse of the center-right government over its involvement in the U.S.-led war against the Taliban. The decision by the Dutch to pull their nearly 2,000 troops does not bode well for President Obama, who has been struggling since autumn to get Europe to increase its troop commitments. On the contrary, the administration should worry that the Dutch move will prompt other governments to reconsider their support for an unpopular war."

I think that this is a problem that the new administration needs to consider. A big part of Obama's troop surge relies on foreign governments and NATO sending troops in as well. But obviously, this isn't going to happen.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "The popularity of the international campaign in Afghanistan has fallen across Europe and in the U.S... The Netherlands and Canada have set pull-out dates, and some foreign armies remain reluctant to fight in restive regions like Helmand. British politicians face a hostile media that chronicles the return of every dead soldier's coffin."

A new strategy may be necessary.