Thoughts About Afghanistan and US

Some quotes from a talk by Lt. Col. Danny Davis:

If the U.S. government chooses not to address the two fundamental political and diplomatic challenges its intelligence estimate is said to highlight — corrupt government and Pakistan's support for extremist violence — then why waste more blood and treasure?...Sarah Chayes

As in Vietnam, the insurgents can lose every major tactical engagement and still win control in some Pashtun areas once U.S. and ISAF forces are gone…Anthony Cordesman

Credible transition planning cannot be based on systematic dishonesty and omission of key variables...Anthony Cordesman

With its existing composition, the ALP (Afghan Local Police) cannot win public support and trust in and provide stable and durable security for communities...Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

As political competition heats up within the country in the run-up to NATO’s withdrawal of combat forces at the end of 2014, the differing priorities and preferences of the parties to the conflict – from the Afghan government to the Taliban leadership to key regional and wider international actors – will further undermine the prospects of peace. To avoid another civil war, a major course correction is needed…International Crisis Group

But, equally, for every dead Pashtun warrior there will be 10 pledged to revenge...Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles

An unprejudiced analysis, in context, gives us little reason to conclude that the preconditions for a positive trend – for instance a cessation of asymmetric warfare and a transition to more effective governance – will be fulfilled in the medium term...German Institute for International and Security Affairs

So many in America say with enthusiasm that “we support our troops!” Yet when faced with a mountain of evidence that the lives of those very troops are being spent in support of a strategy that has failed, is failing, and analysis suggests will end in failure, no one is demanding that the divergent views be reconciled.

If we genuinely value the lives and sacrifice the Members of our Armed Forces make for all of America, I contend their service deserves having these questions answered...Lt. Col. Danny Davis