Afghan run-off cancelled, Karzai declared winner

The New York Times is reporting that incumbent president Hamid Karzai has been declared the winner of Afghanistan's presidential election after a scheduled run-off was canceled. The run-off that was to be held on November 7 was canceled after principle opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah withdrew. The disputed election has delayed the United States from making a final decision to deploy additional troops in Afghanistan for counterinsurgency operations or shifting its strategy to prosecute Qaeda elements in Pakistan.