This week U.S. President Barack Obama faces a real test of his powers of persuasion when he attends a NATO summit and presses his allies to step up their presence in Afghanistan. Success depends not only on his words but also on the new strategy his administration has adopted to stabilize that embattled country. It promises to be an uphill battle.

Even before he took office, Mr. Obama insisted that Afghanistan was critical to the safety and security of the West. He makes a good case. The Taliban government in Kabul had actively supported Mr. Osama bin Laden and provided sanctuary for his al-Qaida movement. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, a U.S.-led invasion drove the Taliban from power, but the defeat was not total. Before the group could be completely eliminated, Washington shifted its focus to Iraq. The Taliban, Mr. Bin Laden and his supporters found shelter on both sides of the border with Pakistan, regrouped and regained strength.

In recent months, they have become increasingly assertive and successful in challenging the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Violence in Afghanistan has reached its highest level since the 2001 invasion. The Kabul government has limited control over territory in the country.