While the need to step up forces militarily in Afghanistan seems like a foregone conclusion, The Nation‘s Katrina vanden Heuvel and others reject the escalation of the war in favor of a diplomatic and economic resolution in the area. In the first of a three-part debate over the most useful course in Afghanistan with senior fellow at the Center for American Progress Lawrence J. Korb, vanden Heuvel argues occupation forces in fact strengthen the Taliban. Korb maintains military force will provide the security to pursue diplomatic measures in the area.