CENTRAL ASIA: "Caught in the Middle: In Helmand province, Afghans are way of both U.S. troops and the Taliban," by Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, 24-30 August 2009.

Depressing article. To win confidence of locals will take a VERY long time.

This is a babysitting job that will stretch on for many years. We will have to stay until globalization's networks move in big time and the system can support and defend itself.

The good news remains: Afghanistan is not poor in resources, but extractors will not come in enough numbers unless we stay. Nor will the railroads.