The Defense Department’s November 2010 ‘Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan’ “says insurgent groups continue to use Pakistan as a staging area for cross-border operations, and it raises new questions about Pakistan’s willingness and ability to take on the insurgents in its territory. ‘Efforts to reduce insurgency capacity, such as safe havens and logistical support originating in Pakistan and Iran have not produced measurable results,’ the report notes. ‘Pakistan’s domestic extremist threat and the 2010 floods recue the potential for a more aggressive or effective Pakistani effort in the near term.’ And while praising efforts to combat corruption, the report suggests more must be done. ‘Corruption continues to fuel the insurgency in various areas… The (Afghanistan President Hamid) Karzai Administration has improved its stance against corruption by prosecution of several high-profile senior officials. However, progress remains uneven and incremental.’ “ [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Charley Keyes, “Pentagon Report: Afghans Believe Taliban Victory Inevitable,” CNN, Nov. 24, 2010