Editorial Board, The Christian Science Monitor (USA)
For Americans wary of one more military commitment, this new alliance may seem more entangling than enlightened. For Afghans, too, assuming their elected lawmakers and an assembly of elders (loya jirga) approve the proposed bilateral pact, the agreement will be a historic first: After centuries of repelling foreign invaders, the Afghan people will be asking foreign troops to stay and possibly assist in defending them.