Condoleezza Rice Seeking Support in the Middle East

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, is seeking more support, especially increases in either troops or money, for the United States "other war" in Afghanistan. Rice is asking NATO allies for the increases in an attempt to show European allies that President George Bush is just as committed to Afghanistan as he is to the war in Iraq. Concern over President Bush's commitment in Afghanistan has been increasing in European circles for sometime now.

Rice has also addressed another issue of concern about the fact that some NATO allies have fallen short on support in Afghanistan. Rice pointed out that some countries in the NATO Alliance in Afghanistan are picking up the slack, especially the United States and Great Britain. While the United States has the largest troop deployment to the area, Great Britain has been a staunch supporter whether with troops, money, or rallying support in European circles.

Within the month, President Bush is expected to ask Congress for increases in funding for the war in Afghanistan. The increase in funding will be aimed for not only rebuilding but to also strengthen Afghanistan's unsteady democratic government. Some of the funds would go to also strengthening the government security needs while the country battles ousted Taliban forces but also growing tensions with Pakistan. Along with increases in funding, President Bush is also expected to move toward increasing troop support in the area. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to ask President bush for the increase in an attempt to help NATO in gaining more command in the area. The troop increase, along with extending tour duties for several military divisions already there, would be focused on helping in Afghanistan's ongoing war with the Taliban. Violence has increased in the past month as the Taliban increased military efforts. Some of the Taliban insurgency fighting have included suicide attacks. The increase of military efforts by the Taliban caught NATO off guard.

Secretary of State Rice is hoping, by asking NATO allies to step up support to the area, to take a lot of the pressure off of an already overwhelmed United States Forces in the region. As hostilities grow in the region with Iraq and other countries, such as Iran, the United States has been made to beef up military forces in the Persian Gulf. Rice is trying to show the rest of the world that the United States, but more importantly President Bush, has not forgotten about Afghanistan.