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First Lady Laura Bush made a surprise visit to Afghanistan over the weekend to call attention to the need for continued international commitment to the country’s war against the Taliban. The former schoolteacher paid special attention to the increased presence of girls in local schools. Under the Taliban, girls were banned from schools. According to the United Nations, 35% of all students are now girls. Mrs. Bush stated, “We want that to be 50-50.”

Her visit comes at a strategic point in the US-led war on the region. On June 3rd, Army General David McKiernan took over NATO command in Afghanistan; McKiernan led American troops into Iraq in March 2003. Violence is also on the rise- over 8,000 were killed in attacks last year—the most since the 2001 invasion. Read More »