Obama's war

With the deaths of four American soldiers Tuesday the Afghanistan war reached a grim milestone: The 295 foreign soldiers killed so far in 2009 exceed the total for any year since the war began eight years ago.

Heavier casualties lie ahead as the Pentagon tries to stabilize what Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has described as a "serious and deteriorating" military situation.

As the Taliban, operating from safe havens in Pakistan, have stepped up their attacks, President Obama has approved the deployment of 17,000 more troops, bringing the total to about 60,000. U.S. commanders on the scene are considering asking for even more to help secure disputed areas.

Afghan security forces have proven little help to the Marines and the local governments are ineffective or corrupt, which hampers American efforts to win over the populace.

The same criticism applies to the national government of President Hamid Karzai, who is leading in election returns for a second term. Although the Obama administration has distanced itself from Karzai, whom the United States installed after the Taliban was routed in 2001, he solidified his popular support through alliances with unsavory warlords. His vice presidential running mate is a former defense minister suspected of being a major drug trafficker.

Amid the gloomy prospects is at least one hopeful, albeit faint, sign: The Pakistanis have mounted a stronger campaign against Taliban strongholds. Drone attacks, coordinated with the U.S., have been effective in killing insurgent leaders although the Pakistani military clings to its outmoded belief that India remains a bigger threat than the festering radicalism exemplified by the Taliban.

Stabilizing the region and routing the terrorists remain critical to U.S. security, but the effort, both military and political, must soon show progress lest the American people lose patience.