February 14, 2017
Focused engagement: A realistic way forward in Afghanistan
The United States can succeed in Afghanistan, but only by letting go of the fantasy that destroying the Taliban is the only way to win.
In his February 9 Congressional testimony, General John Nicholson described the war as a stalemate. He requested additional troops for advising the Afghan army. The Trump administration should meet this request, but only with a serious change in strategy.
The war is stalemated but not at a standstill. Neither the Taliban nor the Afghan government are going to force the other to capitulate, provided external support continues for each.
Read the full article at The Hill.
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