[swarthyguy]

The key to Afghanistan has always been, since Spring 2002, the safe sanctuaries in Pakistan, whose army, elites, politicians and jihadis been absolutely Machiavellian in their dealings with America.

I don’t think we have the will in the country for the effort required.

The domestic timetable of next year’s elections may be driving this more than anything else, with many Democrats wanting to bug out. Obama may well have to depend on the Republicans for any further Afghani effort.

Don’t think he will. Let’s see.

We’ll end up back there anyway in a few years.

In the meantime, the region seems to be preparing for a power vacuum in Afghanistan.....there’s an article posted (search keyword india).....

[USNBandit]

The other thing to remember is that we are getting to the end of war season in Afghanistan. The Taliban will have to retreat back to their safe havens in Pakistan before the first snow.

If they don't they will be obliterated. I remember when the press started going batty over the "Taliban Offensive," or what the rest of the world calls Spring.