CHICAGO - In his first public appearance since returning to the United States, Barack Obama says Afghanistan's weak government and rampant drug trafficking are hampering efforts to fight al Qaeda terrorists who often take refuge in neighbouring Pakistan.
But conditions in Iraq are improving, the Democratic presidential hopeful told hundreds of minority journalists Sunday after returning from Europe and the Middle East.
American troops have helped stabilize Iraq and consolidate political progress among that country's factions.
But Obama says that in Afghanistan, more American troops are needed to stabilize the area and that Pakistan must do more to deny terrorists a safe haven.
