McCain urges renewed international focus on Afghanistan
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Tuesday called for a comprehensive strategy for the conflict in Afghanistan, including a troop increase and a renewed international commitment to the conflict there, dpa reported.
"Insecurity in Afghanistan is the world's problem, and the world should share the costs," McCain told a townhall forum in the southwestern US state of New Mexico.
He said a civilian-military campaign plan for the country could help to combat the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The Taliban has launched a major offensive in recent weeks while seeking refuge in neighbouring Pakistan, including a rash of suicide bombings that have left scores of people dead. More than three dozen people died in the July 7 bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.
McCain, who will face Democratic challenger Barack Obama in November general elections, called for three additional combat brigades for Afghanistan, a more unified military command for the international coalition serving there and greater involvement for the government of neighbouring Pakistan.
In a foreign policy address earlier Tuesday, Obama called for a shift in focus from the war in Iraq to Afghanistan.
