How to Lose in Afghanistan - Anthony H. Cordesman

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.

The most critical reason has been resources. Between 2002 and 2008 the United States never provided the forces, money or leadership necessary to win, effectively wasting more than half a decade. Our country left a power vacuum in most of Afghanistan that the Taliban and other jihadist insurgents could exploit and occupy, and Washington did not respond when the U.S. Embassy team in Kabul requested more resources.

Unfortunately, strong elements in the White House, State Department and other agencies seem determined to ignore these realities.

If these elements succeed, President Obama will be as much a failed wartime president as George W. Bush.

We have a reasonable chance of victory if we properly outfit and empower our new team in Afghanistan; we face certain defeat if we do not. How to Lose in Afghanistan