U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Pat Bragan and his Marines prepare to return fire at insurgents in Mian Poshteh, Garmsir district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, after drawing fire Aug. 15, 2009. Bragan is assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Kurt StahlHow to Lose in Afghanistan -- Anthony H. Cordesman, Washington Post
The United States cannot win the war in Afghanistan in the next three months -- any form of even limited victory will take years of further effort. It can, however, easily lose the war. I did not see any simple paths to victory while serving on the assessment group that advised the new U.S. commander, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, on strategy, but I did see all too clearly why the war is being lost.
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COMMENTARIES, OPINIONS, AND EDITORIALS
Is the War in Afghanistan in the Interests of the United States and its Allies? -- Major Jeremy Kotkin, Small Wars Journal
The U.S. and U.K. Both 'Go Wobbly' on Terrorism -- Amnda Bowman, Wall Street Journal
Hatoyama's Fantasy Island -- Tim Kelly, Forbes
No Clean Sweep in Japan -- Philip Bowring, New York Times
Honduras' Coup Must Not Stand -- Robert White and Glenn Hurowitz, Los Angeles Times opinion.
Obama vs. Honduran Democracy -- Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal opinion.
Navigating Iraq's Next Nor'easter -- JP Schnapper-Casteras, Real Clear World
Moscow’s New Afghanistan -- Edward Lozansky, Moscow Times
Hope in South Africa -- New York Times editorial.
A Deal That Is A Defeat For Israel -- Amir Oren, Haaretz
Isolating Israel Through 'Human Rights' -- Gerald Steinberg, Jerusalem Post