Clarity from Obama needed with regard to Afghanistan

July was the deadliest month for the American military in the nine-year war on terrorism in Afghanistan. That, in and of itself, would warrant an address to the nation by President Barack Obama. Public support is dwindling for the Afghan mission because of uncertainty.

But there’s another reason why the president should talk to the American people: The need for clarity as to what we’re trying to accomplish in that part of the world, why failure is not an option and how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq relate to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America’s mainland.

In addition, the president should talk about Pakistan’s role in the terror war and why it remains our ally despite recent confirmation about members of the country’s intelligence agency being in bed with Islamic extremist groups, including the Taliban and al-Qaida.

The confirmation was contained in what the New York Times characterized as a six-year archive of classified military documents released on the Internet by a web organization called WikiLeaks. The documents have sent shockwaves through Washington and other capitals whose countries are participating in the NATO-led war.

Government officials here and abroad contend that some of the documents contain the names of Afghans who have been working with coalition forces. Their lives are said to be in danger.

The Taliban and al-Qaida are undoubtedly scouring the 92,000 reports spanning two administrations from January 2004 through December 2009.

The Times, the Guardian of Britain and Der Spiegel of Germany did extensive reporting based on the documents. Here’s how the Times characterized the information: “The documents … illustrate in mosaic detail why, after the United States has spent almost $300 billion on the war in Afghanistan, the Taliban are stronger than at any time since 2001.”

Therein lies the growing disenchantment with the mission.

The death toll in July of a record 66 Americans, the rising number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and public opinion polls showing that most Pakistanis blame the increase in terrorist activity in their country on the United States aren’t good news for the Obama administration.

Troop drawdown

The president has said that the draw down of American troops will begin next year, but the question remains: What happens if Afghan security forces aren’t able to take over from the Americans? What if they aren’t in any position to stand up to the growing Taliban insurgency that threatens to destabilize the democratically elected government in Kabul?

As for Pakistan, which has nuclear weapons, the spread of Islamic radicalism and the presence of Taliban fighters and al-Qaida leaders, including Osama bin Laden, in the remote tribal areas mean that the central government is under constant threat.

It has long been reported that members of the intelligence agency have been working hand in glove with the radicals, and the recent confirmation raises questions about the operational and logistical information provided to American forces.

In this period of great uncertainty here and abroad. President Obama needs to reassure the American people and our allies that the war on terrorism is worth pursuing.