Progress in Afghanistan? That depends...

The situation in Afghanistan apparently depends on where one sits.

Here are three recent statements about the war:

-- "It is showing 'progress' but is facing some "difficulties."

-- "The going may be tougher before it gets easier."

-- "We are in a tough counterinsurgency fight, we are in a higher level of violence this year than we were this time last year."

The first is the assessment of President Bush. The second that of Gen. David H. Petraeus, who is about to take over as head of Central Command. The third comes from Gen. David D. McKiernan, who the Senate confirmed today as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.

The president chose to highlight "the fact that millions of young girls go to school that didn't have a chance to go to school before in Afghanistan.'

"That's incredible progress," he said, adding that healthcare needs are being met for the first time, and roads are being built to help farmers take goods to market.

He did add, however: "There's difficulties, of course, because killers can't stand this progress."

Petraeus had a slightly different take he presented during an interview with the New York Times, reflecting on his efforts to gather information about that far corner of his new realm. "Obviously the trends in Afghanistan have been in the wrong direction, and I think everyone is rightly concerned about them ... wresting control of certain areas from the Taliban will be very difficult." he said.

McKiernan spoke with reporters at the Pentagon. "In the east and south we are seeing a greater amount of insecurity in certain areas. So I wouldn't say things are all on the right track," he said.

During his photo op with Bush a little while later, McKiernan remained silent, our Times colleague Julian Barnes reports.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Khalid Mohammed / Associated Press