Germany continues to discuss what to do about its mission in Afghanistan. The US, meanwhile, has decided to send 2,500 soldiers to Kunduz, the region under German command in the northern part of the country. The move is sure to increase the pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. The visits made by Stanley McChrystal as 2009 changed to 2010 were primarily of a symbolic nature. The US general, head of all NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, flew by helicopter to all corners of the country to thank his troops -- particularly in those areas where the situation is most precarious. But this year, his trip didn't just lead him to those regions in the south and east which have long been instable. The four-star general spent an entire day in Kunduz, the German-controlled region in northern Afghanistan, once known for its relative stability but now descending ever further into violence. The visit made it clear once again that McChrystal is keeping close tabs on developments there.
The visits made by Stanley McChrystal as 2009 changed to 2010 were primarily of a symbolic nature. The US general, head of all NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, flew by helicopter to all corners of the country to thank his troops -- particularly in those areas where the situation is most precarious.
But this year, his trip didn't just lead him to those regions in the south and east which have long been instable. The four-star general spent an entire day in Kunduz, the German-controlled region in northern Afghanistan, once known for its relative stability but now descending ever further into violence. The visit made it clear once again that McChrystal is keeping close tabs on developments there.
The tug of war under way between President Hamid Karzai and the Afghan Parliament over his cabinet picks entered a new phase Monday when the president asked lawmakers to delay their long-planned winter holiday so he could offer them a new list of nominees. The Parliament rejected more than two-thirds of Mr. Karzai's cabinet nominees on Saturday, signaling, among other things, discontent with his choices and frustration that a broader spectrum of lawmakers was not consulted about whom he put forward. The vote was a sign of the growing independence of Afghanistan's legislative branch, which in its early days was far more deferential to Mr. Karzai. However, the effect was to leave the government partly paralyzed, without leadership in several important ministries, including public health and justice.
The Parliament rejected more than two-thirds of Mr. Karzai's cabinet nominees on Saturday, signaling, among other things, discontent with his choices and frustration that a broader spectrum of lawmakers was not consulted about whom he put forward.
The vote was a sign of the growing independence of Afghanistan's legislative branch, which in its early days was far more deferential to Mr. Karzai. However, the effect was to leave the government partly paralyzed, without leadership in several important ministries, including public health and justice.
