[Valin]

Yeah...so? Do you understand what this war is, and how we are fighting it?

no flame intended.
This is a guerilla war on a worldwide scale, an important the way you fight a guerilla war is (cue the ominous music) Hearts and Minds. Until people really grasp this they are going to continue to be frustrated.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

My Son-in-Law is a Special Forces Officer who served in Iraq. He has a Master's Degree in Middle East studies and speaks Arabic. He says that counterinsurgency is as much about establishing a connection with the people and improving their lives. Many things can get done without spending massive dollars. Going in a kicking a-- doesn't always win out in counterinsurgency. The locals do want security, so they don't mind you killing the bad guys, but if you go in with a kick a-- indiscriminately, you will lose the hearts and minds.