The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, says the planned burning of Koran's this Saturday by Gainesville pastor Terry Jones could "endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort." He added that:

"It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."

In Kabul yesterday hundreds protested the potential burning ceremony this coming weekend. Pentagon officials say they haven't reached out to pastor Jones, but are hoping that with the huge attention that Petraeus' comments are getting, it might stop him from going ahead with his literally incendiary act.

The city of Gainesville has denied the church a permit for the demonstration, saying burning books is against the city's fire code, and the church's insurance company canceled its policy in late July after Jones announced his plans, and Mayor Craig Lowe has declared September 11 as "Interfaith Solidarity Day." But Jones is insistent that the show must go on.

This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2010.