Australian Defense Boss Says More Troops Needed in Afghanistan

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Australia's Defense boss, said that Australian troops have the taliban on the run. However, because of lack of troops they are unable to hold the ground. Houston predicts that NATO troops will be in Afghanistan for at least another 10 years. He also added that NATO needs 1000s of more troops in Afghanistan to decisively defeat the taliban. Herald Sun

NATO needs to target the taliban whereever they are, Afghanistan, Talistan or Pakistan to defeat them.

He told a Senate Committee yesterday the Australian troops in Oruzgan province had Taliban insurgents on the back foot.

But he admitted they were unable to "hold the ground".

"We can prevail in small areas but not across the whole province," he said.

"Large tracts of the province are controlled by the Taliban.

....

"The ability to hold territory and influence what is happening -- that's the issue. There is a long, long way to go."

Air Chief Marshal Houston's sober assessment was backed by Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.

He said that more than 10,000 extra foreign troops were needed to defeat the Taliban nationwide.

But he categorically ruled out any more Australian troops being deployed.

"We simply don't have the resources and the people to make an additional commitment in Afghanistan," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"We have got no intention of doing more in Afghanistan.

"We are not going to send a battalion to Oruzgan to hold the ground. It is a matter for NATO forces or Afghan troops to secure Oruzgan.

"I don't get the sense that any European nation will stump up extra troops any time soon."