EDITORIAL: How about a war on terrorism - washingtontimes

Shouldn't terrorist groups be called terrorist groups? This question is at the center of a new dispute over the future course of the effort in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been promoting dialogue between the Afghan government and some of the most militant extremist groups; the United States would rather see the terrorists defeated.

Ramping up the pressure on the most extreme of the extremists sends a message to Mr. Karzai about what America considers an acceptable bargain for stability in Afghanistan. The metric of success cannot be peace at any price. Americans may well ask what the sacrifices in Afghanistan were for if the country winds up with a governing coalition that includes the most anti-democratic, hard-core Islamist radicals, including some of the same Taliban leaders who gave Osama bin Laden the support he needed to plan and execute the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and other al Qaeda operations

America's mission in Afghanistan must mean something and must lead to something positive. Rewarding the insurgents with a seat at the table sets a bad precedent - and after the coalition departs, the insurgents may wind up taking the whole table.

These terror groups have declared jihad on the United States. Our country might as well return the favor. .... More
EDITORIAL: How about a war on terrorism - Washington Times

Biden cautious about predicting Afghan troop cuts - washingtonpost