Attack in Afghanistan Shows Shift in Taliban Tactics

This week's bombing of the Serena Hotel signals a significant change in tactics by the Taliban.

Not only was this attack better executed and better planned than any attack in years, but it shows that Taliban are shifting attention to "soft" Western targets. In the past, such civilian targets were targeted for kidnappings to raise money, not attacks.

There is concern that the shift will increase pressure at home to withdraw coalition nations from Afghanistan — at a time when the U.S. is getting ready to send 3,200 Marines in a "surge" of sorts to prepare for increased Taliban activity in the spring.

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