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Part of the core problem is that Afghanistan is not a country the way France or Brazil or the U.S. is - it is as tribal as they come - a patchwork of ethnic conflict. However, the one thing that can unify the tribes long enough to stop shooting at each other is a common enemy, and bringing in too many troops might just provide a sense of occupation that could unite them.

I'm really not sure just what can work there - the Soviets went in with no holds barred and got kicked out (with some US logistical help). Iran and others stand ready to give the Taliban and other groups similar help. This is a very difficult situation. The problem is, we have rank amatuers trying to come to grips with it - and they are so weak that political factors come in well ahead of practical/military factors.

Sometimes you have to admit there are no good guys and pick your “b@st@rd.”

We need to stop trying to “unify” them. Instead, pick a tribe, preferably a fairly strong one. Raise a military force from it. Give it leave to rape, pillage and murder their neighbors with a special emphasis on anyone or any village or any town that provides support or sanctuary to the Taliban or Al Qaeda. Provide weapons, training, technical and artillery / air support. Then let ‘em run wild.

With a little luck and planning, we won't suffer any casualties we care about, but the supporters for the Taliban and Al Qaeda will be annihilated.

And, maybe we'll end up with a “unified” Afghanistan, too. After all, if there is only one tribe it will probably be unified...

This should be combined with a war on Taliban and Al Qaeda money. We should hunt down any one who donates money to the Taliban or Al Qaeda, or to a "charity" that supports them, or runs such a charity, or otherwise handles money for them. No arrests, no trials, just a midnight visit from some very nasty people, a bomb in their car, or a PGM through their bedroom window at 3 AM.