Yes, that is the ticket to winning war and not wasting resources likie we continue to do in Afghan.
The US has been there how many years? COIN does not work mainly because in order for that strategy to even begin to be successful 300,000 more troops would probably be needed.
Also, Afghan is basically a “welfare State” on an international level. The civis hate the NATO forces as well as the Taliban but will gladly open up their hands to both groups in exchange for their resources. Basically you can't trust any civilian over there.
My wife goes to that hellhole early next year. And you know what the central attitude is; unless the Continental United States embraces Islam (As a way of life), their mantra will still be “Kill all the Americans, protect Islam”. That is their battle cry over there.
Are you ready to assimilate, forgo your way of life and embrace Islam. Come on, do your part, it's for the COIN pipe dream.
10 years and we still are stuck on stupid in regards to how to defeat radical Islam (Hint, they won't embrace the West “for their children). Their belief in the Islamic afterlife is a hard nut to crack. Allah worshipers only respond to force, Jefferson found that out very quickly as did Charles Martel.
I think silverleaf’s point is distinct to yours, is in the context of this thread i.e. FET’s serving in Afghanistan & their mission as part of the overall US military.
Although, you make valid points too, which beg a *closeR* look at history, and cultural factors existing in Afghanistan, *way before* last 10 yrs, inclusive of the Taliban, and how they came to be.
Yes, Afghanistan is a “welfare state”. To move Afghanistan to a “Capitalist State” will take much longer, if not a lost cause. Equally, Afghan history, as that of other parts of the world is different to the USA. So, Americans & generally those from the West must understand that (the exact) same rules do not and may never apply to others (East or West).
When you get some time, read the detailed post (#20) in this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2723014/posts?page=20;q=1#20