The nation’s top military officer argued for taking the “economy” out of the “economy of force” strategy in Afghanistan. The tumultuous situation in Afghanistan has been magnified due to the expansive drug trade, poor economy, and porous borders with Pakistan. Yet, the U.S. has every advantage from a combat standpoint, except enough troops, according to Adm. Mullen.

This announcement comes on the heels of several troubling developments. First, the poppy trade continues to grow, uncontrollably. Second, hundreds of Taliban prisoners escaped during a prison break in Kandahar two weeks ago. Third, June was the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001.

Consider this the fourth troubling development…help isn’t likely to arrive until 2009. Mullen stated that he simply won’t have the brigades to send to Afghanistan until there is a drawdown in Iraq. President Bush acknowledged U.S. casualties had increased in Afghanistan  in a Rose Garden appearance the following day, and attributed the rise to a more aggressive military campaign against the enemy.  He said that the U.S. will increase troops by 2009. In 2007, Heritage experts suggested that opium trends, economic woes, and Pakistani border issues would pose serious challenges in the near-term.

As if this isn’t enough to contend with, there’s also the problem of Iran. While not impossible, opening up a third front there would be extremely stressful. With recent alarming news about Israeli plans vis a vis Iran, Adm. Mullen was quick to mention that he still favors a diplomatic route, both for the U.S. and Israel.