Afghan strategy bigger than war

ARTICLE: Afghan Strategy Requires 'Holistic' Approach, General Tells Senate,By Samantha L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service, June 2, 2009

Key line: "What I do know is a military-centric strategy will not succeed."

War within the context of everything else.

(Thanks: Louis Heberlein)

Comments

[large]

Hopefully, a tipping point is being reached in Western Pakistan. I noted a news report that several villages within the area occupied by Taliban Militia were "Mobilizing" on their own and taking up arms against the Taliban there . .

Those are the people who need support and logistics to keep the idea alive and to assist in spreading the discontent that the locals feel for the Taliban and their guests . .

Problematically, can we move with enough speed to take advantage of those changes?

[Ben]

You know, though, you could probably go back to the first days of Afghanistan and get quotes from generals saying the same thing. Now if State and the other non-uniformed players in the government would just heed those words and get in the game, there may be some real movement. Doubt it though, the work on the ground doesn't seem to be a priority.