The new talk inside the Beltway is that "winning" in Afghanistan means winning the "hearts and minds of the people of Afghanistan" (sounds like Vietnam speak - hey?). Despite best efforts by the American intel community to integrate culturally appropriate behavior, the problem is that American soldiers in the field will not always follow the dictates. A recent article in Soldier of Fortune commentary informs us that American troops often race through villages at high speeds, endangering pedestrians and animals, while antagonizing village elders. Moreover, Ann Jones, embedded with U.S. troops, tells us that young soldiers visiting tribal elders engage in farting contests in front of the elders! (here) In addition, killer drones murder civilians, creating ever more insurgents and hostility. And then lets not forget those who are militant Christians and are basking in a war of civilizations and religions.
The fact is that realities on the ground cannot be controlled from Command and Control
There is a better path in Afghanistan than peace from the barrel of a gun. Let's talk
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