The Taliban expands its influence as elections approach

The Taliban is stretching into the north and west (after attacking in the east a few weeks ago). They are spreading out partially because they are feeling the heat in their traditional southern strongholds by the NATO surge, but also beacuse they are realizing that they must reach beyond their Pashtun base to the other ethnicities that make up Afghanistan, as the new Taliban manual shows. That means they're causing problems in areas they aren't normally seen, according to this article from the Christian Science Monitor.

The new NATO chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussmen, is emphasizing the importance of European countries staying in Afghanistan so that it doesn't become a US-only effort, which is considerate. 

The Monitor goes on to discuss the issues in Herat, which are not Taliban-caused, but instead from a havoc-wreaking warlord. NATO's coping with the situation highlights exactly what forces are now trying to change:

Residents in Herat have grown increasingly frustrated with NATO forces in the region, says Quraishi, because the main Italian-led command in the region sits near to where Akbari's forces are active. The local perception is that little has been done against this commander.

Back in February, coalition forces targeted Akbari in an airstrike, but he survived the attack, which killed 13 civilians and three militants.

The article's conclusion emphasizes why we shouldn't be worried Afghans won't vote (yet):

"People are surprised and shocked by this attack today," says Quraishi. "They are worried about the situation as the election is coming – they are worried that they may not be able to cast their vote."

Though they're worried, Afghans care deeply about voting, and a few Taliban bombs aren't going to stop them. It is difficult that elections and the true test of the new U.S. counterinsurgency strategy are happening at the same time - we will have to hope that the strategy works faster than the Taliban do.