Afghanistan: Eight Long Years Later - David Bellavia

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YTU3ZjFiMTJmYTdhYzVkZjgyMjY5ODEwNzg3YmE1N2Y=

But the current rules of engagement (ROE) in Afghanistan are simply far too constrictive to eliminate large pockets of threat. The people of Afghanistan don’t trust their government and their police forces. We are years away from relying on them as we have with their Iraqi counterparts. The ROE are a direct reflection of that: We are forced to be gentle because of the barbaric manner in which the Afghanis treat their own people. This may make us feel good, but we choose this tactic at the risk of our young men and women.  [...]

Until we as a nation understand what we are doing fighting the war on terror, we have no chance to win it. The decision as to what to do next in Afghanistan is taking entirely too long, coming from a president who literally talked about the “good war” for over two years. If we are not resolute in our methods in fighting this counterinsurgency we might as well just bring everyone home. And then, after the next 9/11 happens, we will hold benefits for the victims, pray for the families of the fallen, and carry the hope that our good nature as a people will cause other enemies of America to appreciate the way we live and leave us alone.

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