A dangerous mission

A German soldier died yesterday during an attack by the radical Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan. The regional newspaper Rheinische Post sees a connection with earlier attacks. "How must the German soldiers in Afghanistan feel knowing that at any moment they could fall victim ... to an ambush? They know that they are practically defenceless against such attacks. They also know that the deaths of ten French paratroopers have only strengthened the Taliban's resolve to continue with this course of action, for a fierce debate has now broken out in France which could even lead to the termination of the mission [in Afghanistan]. This has ominous consequences for the so far relatively peaceful northern Afghanistan, the area where the German troops are deployed: the number of attacks is increasing. ... Politicians must now say how they intend to make a success of the shaky Afghanistan operation. The soldiers have a right to know."

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