#2 This once again points out the obvious, that the old British strategy of pulling back into the cities, and keeping the Khyber Pass open, is a good one for McCrystal. Add on to that using air power against any enemy concentrations in the countryside, and spraying the poppies with a disease that only kills poppies, and periodically send out groups to prevent the bad guys from setting up shop anywhere.
It wins nothing, but it is a lot cheaper in both treasure and blood. At the same time, keep increasing the size of the Afghan army, then send them out into the country to clean up their own mess. |