Our Man in Kabul? -- THE SATURDAY ESSAY

Aware of Afghanistan's history, Mr. Karzai opposed the very notion of a U.S. counterinsurgency campaign, fearing that the insertion of American troops into traditional Afghan villages, and the casualties that they cause, would end up reinvigorating the Taliban. He has also argued that U.S. military operations are meaningless without first confronting Pakistan, which provides havens and support to Afghan insurgents—allowing the Taliban to bounce back after every offensive. Our Man in Kabul? - WSJ