NATO commanders are preparing to concentrate their forces around Kandahar, the Taliban's heartland in Afghanistan, but the main aim of this summer's Operation Omid, billed as the biggest offensive so far, is to solve the area's political and social problems, say senior alliance officials.

Acutely aware of the concerns of tribal elders about a military offensive in Kandahar, Nato officials say the priority is to root out bribery and corruption there.

While US-led troops are struggling to gain a decisive foothold in neighbouring central Helmand and are severely short of soldiers to train Afghan forces — which could prove vital to their exit strategy — Nato foreign ministers will meet this week at what officials say is a crucial stage of the conflict.

“Kandahar is next in line but there will be no D-Day,” said James Appathurai, Nato's chief spokesman. The idea is to “thicken forces in and around Kandahar to impede the insurgency and deal with malign elements there”, he said during a visit to London.

His message is that Operation Omid is not about killing Taliban fighters. “It is about protecting the population, about changing the political culture and perception.

“Kandahar is, from the psychological and communications point of view, the heartland of the Taliban,” he said. “The biggest problem in Afghanistan is not the Taliban, but the lack of strong governance and the delivery of services.” Clearly referring to moves to start talks with Taliban leaders, he added “In Kandahar the Taliban is part of the fabric of society. That is the reality.”

— The Guardian, London