From Radio Netherlands Worldwide: NATO has significantly changed its military strategy in Southern Afghanistan since the alliance-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) deployed into the region in 2006. Dutch Major General Mart de Kruif told Radio Netherlands that rather than massive offensives against the Taliban, as was the case in the early days, ISAF now plans major operations that include strong elements of local governance and reconstruction…

Talking about the Taliban, the Dutch general claimed that “now, the Taliban reacts to what we do, not the other way around.” He described the movement as being in a phase of uncertainty, and said that internal tensions had been noted in the movement’s leadership, the majority of which is based in Quetta, Pakistan. (photo: Hans de Vreij)