RECENT TALIBAN PUSH KILLS 11 U.S. SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN

President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw Iraq has come just in time.  Unfortunately, the situation in Afghanistan has worsened with Taliban guerrillas and Al Qaeda operatives stepping up attacks near the capital city of Kabul.  As of yesterday, 11 American soldiers have died from recent bombings and ambushes.  Dozens of NATO soldiers have also been killed or wounded in these brazen attacks.

This month, Obama has hastened American troop withdrawal due to the effectiveness of Iraq's revamped, National Army.  More and more, Iraqi security forces are taking the fight against the insurgency.  They are often in the lead in search and destroy mission and other military maneuvers in and around Baghdad.  The forces have also weeded out disruptive elements inside their own ranks and gained the confidence of a population longing for peace and normalcy. 

Taliban and Al Qaeda have reorganized in Afghanistan and demoralized the 10,000-man, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) force left to defend.  The combination of ambushes and bombings (roadside, truck and car) has spread out the occupying unit.  Obama has ordered more American troops to bolster the embattled army and give President Hamad Karzai additional manpower for his military.

For the most part, Afghanistan still belongs in American and Afghani hands.  But, Mullah Omar and Osama Bin Laden have used the Iraqi "distraction" to re-establish themselves a viable, military threat.  The guerrillas are again a fanatically, motivated and well-armed, fighting unit. 

And once again, the Americans with Afghani cooperation have set their sights on eradicating them for good and to avenge the ones fallen.