Afghanistan's election season

Presidential elections in Afghanistan are now scheduled for August.

MORE INFO:

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan already prompted US President Barack Obama to commit an extra 17,000 American solders to Afghanistan -- even before the US has come up with an overall strategy for Afghanistan.

Deborah Lutterbeck reports from Washington

STORY:

A car bomb explodes at at the entrance of the Bagram air base in Afghanistan. Shortly afterwards a suicide bomber blows himself up just meters away from the entrance.

Three American contractors suffered minor wounds, but there were no reports of other casualties.

These attacks come as Afghanistan is preparing for another round of elections in August -- elections President Hamid Karzai had hoped to hold in April.

David Rittgers of the Cato Institute.

SOUNDBITE: David Rittgers of the Cato Institute, saying (English):

"The moving back of the election to August 20th tells me that the security situation is indeed a terrible one, and that the Afghan Election Commission and all of the forces in Afghanistan felt it was necessary to push it back."

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan already prompted US President Barack Obama to commit an extra 17,000 American solders to Afghanistan -- even before the US has come up with an overall strategy for Afghanistan.

A key part of any emerging strategy will be political, which is why successful elections will be key says NATO's Brigadier General Richard Blanchette who was made available in Kabul by the Pentagon.

SOUNDBITE: NATO's Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, saying (English):

"This country has been three decades in war or some type of war or conflict and its really refreshing to have a second election, it will be the second time. Itt gives the impression to the people that for once it is a continuation of democracy."

For Afghan President Karzai, first elected in 2004, the elections will provide a key verdict.

SOUNDBITE: David Rittgers of the Cato Institute, saying (English):

"I think this election is going to to be seen as a referendum on Karzai and on the presence of foreign troops in the country."

The new US strategy for Afghanistan is expected by April.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters