From the Asia Times:KARACHI - With the winter snows fast approaching, Pakistan's security forces face a race against time over whether or not to pull out of the Swat Valley in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), where for the past one-and-a-half years they have been fighting a losing battle against militants.
The militants occupy about 80% of the strategically vital area near the border with Afghanistan and have managed to choke most supply lines. General Headquarters in Rawalpindi realizes that should the more than 10,000 troops there not be pulled out, they will face a dire war of attrition, but if they leave, the militants will gain strength.
Kabal and Kanju are the only war theatres left in the valley with battles raging and with the military in partial control, but come
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My Comment: Appeasement and reconciliation efforts with the Taliban has put Pakistan in a no-win situation. They have .... for all practical purposes .... lost this war. Afghanistan is going to be very hot next year .... and a true test of President Obama's administration.