Editorial: Security forces need better response to mounting attacks

A seminar on the national security strategy was held on February 26 in Kabul. President Hamed Karzai, who opened the seminar, briefed participants on the importance of having a national security strategy. It is a fact that we have long needed such a strategy. If we take a quick look at military and political developments in recent years, we can see that security strategy has been equated with the war on terror since the Bonn conference, and ensuring security has been seen as the responsibility of ISAF and the US-led Coalition forces. We accept that significant measures have been taken to improve the Afghan National Police, National Army and other security forces, but these steps have not proved as effective, rapid or complete as the nation expected. The enemies of peace and stability have recently stepped up hit-and-run raids and suicide attacks. A new strategy should cover both internal and external security, and include steps to make our national forces stand on their own feet.