the Taliban "could" adopt a slowing of their activity...build up strength on the ground....build up munitions....get placed....then when the US thinks things are improving they can make their 2011 date. The taliban and any other adversary has more patience than we do....they can simply wait us out. Time is on their side and when we put a definition to it, in my opinion, it is in their favor.

NO ONE to date has put a definition on what "winning" means. Or at least what constitutes completing the mission. Hence, no end in sight.

I personally believe there is no way for the US to win not only the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they can not win one anywhere. WHy not? Too much politics....too much concern about how they are viewed for what they do...

If we could get back to the days of the commanders in WW II, do what ever it takes to win the objective. Of course they did not have the 24/7 media or the permissive pacifist attitudes of today to complicate their mission.

Hell we won in Germany and Japan and we still have troops there.....soooooo?

btk