New US Strategy in Afghanistan

There will soon be a new US strategy in Afghanistan, and it will be implemented quickly after the new Obama administration comes to office, reports Karen DeYoung in The Washington Post.

The incoming Obama administration plans to explore a more regional strategy to the war in Afghanistan -- including possible talks with Iran -- and looks favorably on the nascent dialogue between the Afghan government and 'reconcilable' elements of the Taliban, according to Obama national security advisers.

President-elect Barack Obama also intends to renew the U.S. commitment to the hunt for Osama bin Laden, a priority the president-elect believes President Bush has played down after years of failing to apprehend the al-Qaeda leader.

Barack Obama was very critical of President Bush during the election campaign for what he said was the president's extreme focus on Iraq at the expense of operations in Afghanistan.

President-elect Obama has made it known through his people that he intends to move ahead with a planned deployment of thousands of additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan.