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Facing the Long Afghan Winter

Winter arrives early in Afghanistan. By late November, frigid winds will be blowing from the north, and mountain paths will be covered in snow. The difficulty of waging war in winter is one reason why the U.S. stepped up its bombing missions last week.

U.S. planes dropped heavy bombs onto the front lined of Afghanistan's Taliban army. For the first time, the U.S. used B-52 bombers, huge aircraft that carry 70,000 pounds of bombs.

The Taliban claim that 1,500 civilians have been killed since the U.S. bombing raids began on October 7. The U.S. says that far fewer have died.

According to Pentagon officials, 85% of U.S. bombs and missiles have hit their targets; 15% have gone astray. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld accused the Taliban of purposely placing civilians in harm's way.

The Taliban are proving to be tough foes. "We definitely need to have patience," says Navy Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem. "This is going to be a long, long campaign."

Last Thursday, Turkey, a Muslim country, agreed to send special forces to Afghanistan. "The success of the U.S.-led operation is for the good of humanity," says Turkey's Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins November 17. Some Muslim leaders have called for a halt in the bombing. But Ecevit disagrees. "Terrorism has no Ramadan, no flags, no feasts," he says.

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