U.S., world mustn't lose focus of ongoing war in Afghanistan

A helicopter crash this week in an Al-Qaida stronghold that killed one U.S. soldier and injured at least 12 others serves as a grim reminder that Afghanistan remains a dangerous theater in the global war on terror.
The crash and heightened combat activity in the region in recent months illustrate anew the compelling need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to ensure that Taliban holdouts are annihilated and that Afghanistan's transition to democracy proceeds on target.
So far, not all indicators point to success.
First, much of the world's attention has been diverted toward Iraq. The operations there are broader, the U.S.-dominated coalition forces about eight times larger.
As Staff Sgt. Tina Mullins, serving in Afghanistan, said this summer: "I think, unfortunately, Iraq overshadows Afghanistan. People tend to forget that there are things going on, and we're still there for a mission. People are losing their lives."
Though the crash Thursday of the Black Hawk helicopter has been ruled accidental, this year has witnessed the steepest toll of U.S. combat deaths in Afghanistan, with at least 23 fatalities. Just last week, two soldiers were killed by roadside bombs. An all day battle Aug. 3 killed up to 70 suspected Al-Qaida militants.
Operation Lightning Resolve
In fact a new phase of the war began last month called Operation Lightning Resolve, which is designed to create a secure environment to support the first democratic elections in Afghanistan this fall. The focus will be on security, but according to the U.S. Central Command, "coalition forces will use specifically targeted combat operations to destroy, disrupt and deny sanctuary to terrorists."
In other words, U.S.-led forces face continued life-threatening dangers in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future.
That's why it's important that Operation Lightning Resolve succeed. To that end, the support and involvement of the international community is critical.
To its credit, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- the world's largest military alliance -- this summer committed troops to play a greater role in the International Security Assistance Force, which will complement Lightning Resolve's efforts to ensure stable elections.
NATO, however, remains insistent that it will not join in as full allies to Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign. Gen. James Jones, commander of NATO in Europe, says combat operations would in the foreseeable future remain the responsibility of the U.S.-led operation.
In addition to that fracture, many of NATO's European allies have failed to commit forces and money to jointly agreed objectives and some of them have placed restrictions on troops, thereby diluting the effectiveness of the security force, Jones has acknowledged.
Clearly, more pressure must be brought to build a more cohesive international alliance in the critical weeks and months ahead. While there have been successes -- the Taliban have been decimated and nearly 9 million of Afghanistan's estimated 10.5 million voters have already registered to vote -- it is far too early to declare victory on the Afghan front of the war on terror.