ABSTRACT
The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan is fast becoming a cause of concern, both for its neighbours and the international community. It is moving towards a scenario which could resemble what was obtaining prior to September 2001. The US administration under the leadership of President Obama announced its strategy to deal with the Afghan situation in March 2009, which was followed by Af–Pak Version II — a review in December 2009. Further, at the London Conference at the end of January 2010, a fresh strategy was annunciated to deal with the rising crisis in Afghanistan. On the ground following fresh reinforcements from the US in mid-February 2010, ‘Operation Moshtarek’ was launched against the entrenched Taliban in Marjah area of Helmand province. The operation met with a fair degree of success. However, even after three months the ‘hold and build’ parts of the strategy made less than satisfactory progress. Preparations were begun for ‘Operation Omid’ against Taliban strongholds in Kandahar, which commenced in June 2010.
