However, attacks launched by the Taliban have risen 40 percent this year in eastern Afghanistan, where many recent U.S. airstrikes have occurred.

In June alone, 28 U.S. troops died in Afghanistan. That was the highest monthly total since the war began in October 2001.

TALE OF TWO WARS

The quantity of additional resources the United States can pour into Afghanistan depends on developments in Iraq, given the limited manpower of the U.S. military.

The Bush administration said if the situation in Iraq continues to improve, it can free up more troops for Afghanistan.

"We have clearly seen an increase in violence in Afghanistan. At the same time, we've seen a reduction in violence and casualties in Iraq. And I think it's just part of our commitment to ensure that we have the resources available to be successful in Afghanistan over the long haul," U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said recently.

The New York Times estimates that by the time Bush leaves office on Jan. 20 next year, at least one and as many as three of the 15 combat brigades now in Iraq could be withdrawn or at least scheduled for withdrawal, making more troops available for Afghanistan.

How quickly the U.S. military can shift focus to Afghanistan also depends on the outcome of this year's presidential election.

Obama has reaffirmed that he will pull all combat brigades out of Iraq by mid-2010.

McCain, remaining uncommitted to a timetable, predicted that the United States will eventually "win" the Iraq war in 2013 and pave the way for a withdrawal.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2008)