With words of caution, Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that his country will increase its troops in Afghanistan by nearly 50%, moving from around a 1,000 to 1,500. These troops, like most of their European counterparts in NATO, will mainly be training Afghan military and police units as well as providing security for the upcoming elections in Uruzgan. The 1,500 Australian troops are by far the highest of a non-NATO participant in the conflict and is part of an increased emphasis on growing the Australian military capacity. This move should also shine brightly on President Obama as Rudd’s decision to add more troops came after the two leaders talked. Though these troop numbers are small and their mission limited, it is important for as many world actors from as many regions to participate in what truly is a conflict with global ramifications.
Concerning an earlier post about the US military’s new emphasis on curbing Taliban poppy profits, Joshua Foust at Registan.net has an in-depth about this policy that is a must read.
