I will...
We need to go to “war” with the Taliban. We need to make it so hard on them that they ask for “peace terms”. Right now it looks like we are asking them for “peace terms” because we are trying to make them like us. This is not how you win a war... I have read Petreus and Mattis new/revised COIN manual and while I agree with much of what they say there is an underlying assumption that our foes have or share our values. Not so, these guys are not tired of war and see the road to victory ahead of them. Now is the time to destroy their morale by doubling down on the “surge” concept and loosening the rules of engagement. Start countering every attack with a response the is over whelming to the point that they become so afraid they ask for relief... short of such a response we need to get the hell out! and let them eat each other. They will never be a western nation-state in our lifetimes but they can sure be defeated...
Unfortunately, our national command authority hasn't the political will or resolve to fight this war the way it needs to be fought and our servicemembers are paying the price with their blood.