Last week we ran an excerpt from an important column in TheWeek.com by Bob Shrum about Obama and Afghanistan. This week I am running a poll seeking your opinions on how concerned should we be about increasing troop levels in that eternally troubled nation. Simply because we elected Obama does not mean an end to our responsibility to raise questions and concerns about any policy - especially one that has such consequences as Afghanistan.

Upon examining the current state of policies and the war in Afghanistan, it is almost impossible to know where to begin the discussion. We currently see the Taliban making a resurgence especially in the south and east. More soldiers have died this year than any other year since September 11, 2001. Vast stretches of territory are either controlled or left seriously unstable by military operations by insurgent forces. As Shrum pointed out in his column, most of the new troops are likely to be staged to the south of Kabul in order to protect the capital. Not a good sign no matter how you look at it.

No matter how you examine the Afghan War, it is impossible now not to connect it to Pakistan. Forces clearly sympathetic to the Taliban control the northwest provinces and seem to be getting stronger and stronger. Increasingly, Pakistan is victim of bombings and internal violence that could soon place the serious nuclear power in jeopardy. In order to solve the problem in Afghanistan we have to consider the use of a cross border force in Pakistan - unfortunately a strategy that will also guarantee a festering of serious difficulties and blowback there. It is hard to see defining victory in this war and what that would mean.

Remember, some of the best progressive minds of the 1960's took us deeper and deeper into Vietnam. We have a moral obligation as supporters of the new Presient-elect to ask the questions that will assist him in making wise decisions. He has made quite clear that is what he wants from us and we should rise to the occasion.

The Afghan War concerns me greatly and I am not sure what will constitute victory for our nation. Would it be a victory to destroy Al Quada but with the Taliban returning to power with its repressive policies especially toward women? Would it be a victory to leave without Osma bin Laden? We must have clearly defined goals and principles set in this conflict so we know what is victory or when we should depart.

Over the years, the Persians, Mongols, Arabs, Turks, British and Russians have all attempted to indefinitely occupy what is currently modern-day Afghanistan. They all eventually were sent packing by insurgent tribes. Wouldn't it be awful to have Obama turn the economy around only to see it sucked dry again in an useless, endless war? Start asking your questions now when the atmosphere is receptive and constructive.

Because it won't be later.