Our author argues that the political and diplomatic forces potentially moving the war in Afghanistan away from COIN (counterinsurgency tactics) are potentially misguided.
‘Even if Obama ultimately chooses to switch to the riskier but less costly approach labeled “counterterrorism,” the sustainability of this effort would depend on someone else countering the Taliban insurgency.’
The conventional wisdom says that McChrystal needed to design a plan that worked after years of few resources and an unclear mission in Afghanistan. Obama went with Mchrystal’s COIN until his firing. Where are we headed now? Where is the European support? How is morale? How is the relationship between the Pentagon and the White House?
Any thoughts and comments are welcome.
Related On This Site: From Foreign Policy: ‘Reading Woodward In Karachi’…From Michael Yon: ‘General Petraeus Letter’…From March 27th, 2009 At WhiteHouse.Gov: Remarks By The President On A New Strategy For Afghanistan And Pakistan
From Foreign Policy: ‘Inside Talibanistan’
