Lessons of Tora Bora Prompt Greater Use Of American Troops

Although still relying heavily on local Afghan forces, U.S. military commanders have adopted a markedly different strategy for the offensive that began last weekend in eastern Afghanistan than they did three months ago in the battle for the caves around Tora Bora, which resulted in many al Qaeda leaders apparently getting away.
The U.S. decision to deploy hundreds of American and other Western military personnel near Gardez is a significantly larger commitment of ground troops than the Tora Bora battle, which featured no more than a few dozen U.S. Special Forces soldiers.
Pakistan is reported to have taken more aggressive steps as well to shut its border in the area and stop al Qaeda or Taliban fighters from escaping.