Renewed Focus on the War in Afghanistan

Eight years after being routed by American forces, the Taliban have regained control of much of Afghanistan. Military leaders say 70,000 US and NATO soldiers can't secure the population, so President Obama has promised some 25,000 more. Vice President Biden says the Administration has inherited "a real mess," and that there will be more American casualties. Even Obama Administration advisors say the President's principal challenge is to define the mission. Critics warn of a "quagmire" the US can't afford. Afghanistan is bigger than Iraq and harder to pacify, and efforts gone wrong could destabilize Pakistan, the nuclear-armed neighbor next door. What are America's goals and objectives? What are the benefits and risks of possible options?