[Sherman Logan]

As long as we insist on occupying Afghanistan, we are more or less forced to stay on reasonably good terms with the government of Pakistan. Fact of geography.

Unless we want to invade and occupy Pakistan, too. Which would be at least an order of magnitude more difficult than Afghanistan. Even leaving the fact that they have nukes out of the deal. Carrier battle groups don't stand up well to nukes.

[Slump Tester]

"Carrier battle groups don't stand up well to nukes. "

Neither do pissant countries.