CLINTON CONFIRMATION: Afghanistan Policy Review

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), a critic of a military-only shift in strategy in Afghanistan, asks about a policy review. “There will certainly be a policy review.” Think about a “more-for-more strategy,” Clinton says: if there are more troops from the U.S. there have to be more NATO troops and the Afghan government. “And on the civilian and the development side as well.” There’s a need to link Afghanistan and Pakistan policy, as nearly every expert urges. “Not just about denying Al Qaeda and others safe haven,” but convincing Pakistan that its security is as risk as well. She praises Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari for getting that.

President-elect Obama will “present [the Afghan government] with alternatives.” The other governments in the region “will have to be brought in,” as well, echoing a point that Gen. David Petraeus recently made.