How to Win in Afghanistan - We tried the 'offshore' strategy before. The result was 9/11 - WSJ

We tried the offshore strategy in the 1990s when Afghanistan became a stronghold of al Qaeda. Even after 9/11 we still stuck to a minimalist approach. Recall the failure to capture Osama bin Laden at Tora Bora because we wouldn't commit enough American troops.

If there is any wavering in our commitment to Afghanistan, officials in Pakistan will take that as confirmation that their old strategy of cutting deals with Islamic militants is more necessary than ever. - How to Win in Afghanistan

The Afghan Panic - We can still win a counterinsurgency, but not on the cheap.
O'Hanlon and Riedel: What's Right With Afghanistan