Dexter Filkins: Afghanistan's 'Make Or Break' Time

The planned withdrawal, starting in July 2011, would take place after the Afghan troop level is strong enough to target the Taliban-led insurgency. Filkins says that it's difficult to predict what will happen if, and when, the American troops pull out.

"I think what's hanging over all of this is the consequences of failure," he says. "They're pretty bad. If you remember, when the American war here started in 2001, it was because Afghanistan had imploded into a terrible civil war. It was a failed state, the Taliban took over, basically, and gave sanctuary to al-Qaida. You have to ask yourself the question, 'If the Americans pull out, what will prevent that from happening again?' "

Dexter Filkins: Afghanistan's 'Make Or Break' Time