Senior British commander says victory in Afghanistan is impossible

[Rovik]

Victory impossible in Afghanistan: senior British commander

Looks like Layton was right all along. I think that all those who made wise cracks and called Layton "Taliban Jack" owe him a big apology.

[Bodhi]

Victory impossible in Afghanistan: senior British commander

Looks like Layton was right all along. I think that all those who made wise cracks and called Layton "Taliban Jack" owe him a big apology.

From the article:

An absolute military victory in Afghanistan is impossible, Brig.-Gen. Mark Carleton-Smith told England's Sunday Times newspaper.

What foreign forces must now come to grips with, he said, is reducing the level of insurgency so that it can be managed by Afghan forces and no longer poses a major threat.

Which appears to be a sober assessment. Victory cannot and should not be gauged by a complete cessation of violence. It is realistic, however, to envisage a managed level of insurgency, a stronger Afghani army and a more substantial level of infrastructure.

Working backwards we can conclude that the emphasis of NATO's effort should be investing in Afghani institutions and positive deviants and elements in its society. This does not preclude a withdrawal of troops, rather, a reorientation of methods.

[PoliticalCitizen]

Victory impossible in Afghanistan: senior British commander

Looks like Layton was right all along. I think that all those who made wise cracks and called Layton "Taliban Jack" owe him a big apology.

Anyone who knows anything about Afghan will tell you victory there is impossible.

Building democracy in Afghanistan is just as easy as transforming Sahara into hanging gardens.

We should get out and stay out. There are many other places where people need us and where we can make a real difference.

[maldon_road]

A highly proficient insurgency with bases in another country? Sounds familiar.