The Pentagon has released its report on the Afghan situation, saying that progress was unequal in terms of Taliban insurgency. The report which was one among two annual reports that are due to the Congress every year, said that progress had been achieved in issues of security, governance and development.
However it issued a warning that Taliban forces were gaining in strength following the NATO agreement to pull out combat forces from the area.

The report said the President Obama’s escalation was a contributing factor to the rise in violence to growth within the coalition force. Measures taken to reduce the volume of insurgence, including safe havens and logistical aid from Pakistan and Iran, have reportedly not borne any significant fruit. There is however proof that cumulative effects had resulted from counter-insurgency steps taken by NATO. Increased security was noted along with developmental landmarks such as the opening of schools and police stations.

NATO countries are planning to withdraw their forces in 2011 and Taliban perceives this as a victory. Although the movement is not widely popular, it preys on the frustrations brought about by an inept governance structure in Afghanistan. A BBC correspondent from Washington, Mark Mardell says that the report subtly blames the strategy being employed by US, British and other NATO politicians as being the root cause of Taliban’s increasing success.

The number of American civilians has tripled to 1,100 in Afghanistan since President’s Obama taking of office in January 2009. These include diplomats, criminal investigators, drug enforcement agents and agricultural experts.
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