Achieving our goals does not require us to build a flawless democracy, defeat the Taliban in every corner of the country, or create a modern economy—what we’re talking about is “good-enough” governance, basic sustainable economic development and Afghan security forces capable enough that we can drawdown our forces.So we won't go for the win, we won't add enough troops to hold as much territory as possible and deny the Taliban resources. Instead, we'll draw back and defend government institutions that can't function without control of the countryside. It's the "Prevent Defense" for Afghanistan.
Aside from the occasional drone attack, we'll allow the enemy free run of much of the country while we undermine the current government by questioning their legitimacy.
The prevent defense only works if there's a time limit on the contest. If you've run up a 40-point lead and there are only 5 minutes left to play, it will help you win. If there's no time limit at all, you're doomed. I don't think the Taliban is placing a time limit on this one, do you?
3 comments:
Off-coverage = Off-shore.
This decision was made weeks ago, whether in actuality or effect makes little difference.
Well, considering that Afghanistan has basically been in a more or less permanent state of intertribal war since at least the Mongol conquest, then no, I don't think the Taliban have a time limit in mind. In fact, far from being "sick of war", I kind of suspect that a lot of the people there would be kind of at a loss for what to do if they stopped fighting.
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