US policy on Afghanistan is facing renewed scrutiny after the assassination of the Vice-President Haji Abdul Qadir provoked new anxiety over the viability of President Hamid Karzai's government.
The killing of Mr Qadir on Saturday rekindled domestic dissent in the US over the President George W Bush's ‘war on terror’.
If Mr Karzai's government falls victim to the anarchy and ethnic strife that has plagued Afghanistan, then the operation aimed at destroying the Taliban and al-Qaeda, which was gave impetus to the ‘war on terror’, will be furthered questioned.
The policy came under pressure last week when US planes mistakenly bombed an Afghan wedding in which at least 48 people died.
"I fear that we may see this government and our efforts unwind here if we don't make the appropriate investment of men and effort and resources," said Senator Chuck Hagel on NBC on Sunday.
US officials pointed out today that Mr Qadir's killing was a targeted assassination - not uncommon in Afghanistan.
Some experts, however, worry that the death raises further questions about the sustainability of the Afghan administration which heavily relies on Washington.
AFP