General seeks new strategy

       The head of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan yesterday called for a revised strategy to turn around the war against the Taliban, describing the situation as serious but putting success within reach.
       General Stanley McChrystal's review,compiled since he took up command in mid-June, has been widely anticipated since US President Barack Obama put a sweeping new strategy in Afghanistan at the heart of his foreign policy.
       The US has for months called for new thinking in Afghanistan and the Pentagon dismissed Gen McChrystal's predecessor last May. Gen McChrystal sent his strategic assessment to the head of US Central Command General David Petraeus for comment en route to the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the military said.
       "The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," said Gen McChrystal in a statement.
       It said his assessment seeks to implement Mr Obama's strategy "to reduce the capability and will of the insurgents,al-Qaeda and transnational extremists"as well as develop Afghan forces, improve governance and development.
       Gen McChrystal is not expected to call for more troops in this review, but is ultimately expected to recommend increased troop numbers.
       US military commanders in Afghanistan reportedly told the US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, this month that they did not have enough troops to do their job.
       Last week, Gen McChrystal ordered the more than 100,000 Western troops under his command to change their mindset to win the fight, and focus on people, not insurgents.