Here's a Reuters story that clearly articulates the popular perception of the strategic options available on Afghanistan (this analysis is prevalent everywhere, even within the US military). The options are shallow and simply waypoints on a linear function of the number of troops and resources we apply to the effort. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. One suggestion is to articulate creative strategies, particularly strategies that appear to "work" in a globalized 21st Century environment (like open source counter-insurgency), to upgrade this still-born debate. Of course, this is likely too much to ask given the popular misconception that more troops (the surge) + a secret weapon (hilarious) made withdrawal from Iraq possible.
UPDATE: The opportunity for a recast is possible. Take this exchange between Adm Mullens and the US Senate Armed Forces committee today. Let's filter out the reflexive request for more troops and get to the meat:
A central plank of his strategy, led by General Graham Lamb, of Britain, would be to try to induce low and middle-ranking Taleban fighters to fight for the Government, repeating tactics pioneered by General Lamb in Iraq two years ago, Admiral Mullen said... When Admiral Mullen revealed that General Lamb had initiated an effort to win over Taleban fighters, he was asked why it had taken so long. “It has not been an area of focus,” he said.NOTE: One suggestion to Gen. Lamb -- per open source counter-insurgency -- don't focus on getting exTaliban to fight for a central government that has zero legitimacy (corrupt, fraudulent, etc.). Instead, play out rivalries and alignment of interests. The best that can be hoped for is a realignment of their loyalties towards local/provincial control or governance when possible.
NOTE2: Managing these groups will be a constant and non-stop sales effort. They won't fall in line when ordered and their motivations are all over the map. One system I would demand, to help me see the big picture and measure the progress of this effort on the ground (to regularize it), is a simple recast of a commercial CRM system.
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