Wow, our ways of looking at the world politically and tactically are so different.
That’s cool, we need diversity in engaging such a task in the war on terror.

The one thing I do agree with is that Pakistan is a sanctuary for the Taliban and A.Q. Much of the high brass were located in this country weeks before their massive assault in 2001.
This sanctuary is indeed the best thing A.Q. has for it.

Here is were we disagree on the abilities of the enemy in Afghanistan.
The enemy was severely damaged and repulsed; however 5 years later they have rallied back. Granted such a small faction cannot be terminated to the man. However, I believe that if the U.S. kept the pressure on the Taliban and AQ, they would no way be as strong as they are today. Let me make my self clear, I believe that logistically the U.S. could have kept the enemy suppressed and negated as they were in late 2001 and early 2002 if the U.S. focused on this these last few years. I also believe that if today the U.S. brought in a large surge of warriors, they could repulse the enemy once again. With billions of dollars spent a year (The UN is not in the price equation), the U.S. could keep this up for decades. With time and good will toward the Afghan people they may forget the Talban for good. Push them into Pakistan and let them rot there.
Winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people are included in this equation, I do not know if the U.S. has failed in this endeavor. One thing is for sure, the enemy is doing a good job in recruiting warriors.

I am glad that you brought up the political maneuvers. I agree that the Demos will use Afghanistan and Iraq as leverage to attempt to win votes. Sadly due to this the Federal Administration will not increase troop numbers in both of these countries. Meaning, that in Iraq and Afghanistan there will not be a large increase in troops from now until next spring. The election is in November right? If the Administration does announce an increase troops before then, the Democrats will say: “See, I told you so, this guy does not know what he is doing! He finally puts more troops in Iraq and or Afghanistan. The generals have been calling for this for years!!!. Etc etc..”
Here is my point. To not give the Democrats ammunition, the Repubs will pretend that nothing is wrong at all.
IMO, we need more troops in Afghanistan.

Notice I did not say Iraq… People, the Operation in Iraq is a failure.

Without a monumental change in strategy, troop load, Afghanistan will head in this direction. Granted, I believe that Afghanistan is years and years away from such hopelessness.
I believe there will be not a increase troop load in Afhan because of the politics I just wrote above. Indeed, I believe that the current Administration will not do anything to improve matters in Afghansistan. If we are lucky, in the winter of 2009 we will know if the next president will.
Sadly politics and sound tactional logic do not mix at all.

I do not like to use the words Radical Islam vs Democracy at all. When one talks in such idealistic and black and white ways it is like a shinning diamond that touches the very soul of the potential enemy and current enemy.
Instead I believe it is best to take every shread of religious aspect out of this equation and War.
For example saying the words like
Crusade are a no go.
Bring it on, is a no go.
Islamic Fascist is a no go.

The enemy recruiters love this. I mean they really really do. It makes it so easy for them to recruit new warriors.
If your still confused I’ll explain.
For us, Democracy means good.
For them, Democracy means bad. Indeed, for some it means evil.

It is o.k. for one to believe that Islam is a warlike and somewhat evil religion, just try to keep this on the down low. Such talk improves the morale of the enemy because they also see the world as black and white; however they of course see themselves as good.

Instead, here is what you do.
Say nothing against the religion of Islam!!!!!! Make the whole deal about defense from an enemy that is out to get us.
Bring shame upon them by killing inosents.
Embrace and unite peaceful Arabs and Muslims who speak out against such *******s.
Say noting against Islam, but surround your self with "real"Islamic clerics who say the killing of innosents is murdeer and such.
I am positive the enemy recruiters will need to chage the benifits package form 100 virgins to 234 virgins to improve their numbers if done so.

I truly believe that the U.S. piss poor way on handling this task has greatly retared our abilities to win the hearts and minds of the people of many of the people of the countries we are in.