One Of The Most Important Questions On Afghanistan Is One That No One Is Asking

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http://www.businessinsider.com/afghanistan-pullout-plans-2014-2014-2



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But here's the kicker: If 150,000 U.S. troops couldn't "win" the war in Afghanistan over the past decade, what's 10,000 going to do?

Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army who has deployed to combat four times in his career, is asking this important question in The Daily Beast:

Absent thus far from the discussions on the size of the force, is any assessment of what strategic goals its tactical tasks will accomplish. For example, will the Force be tasked to “defeat” al-Qaeda in Afghanistan? “Degrade” them? In terms of the training mission, how will success be determined? Is there a standard that, once achieved, means the mission will have accomplished its goals? These are not minor questions. In the absence of the consideration of the strategic intent of the residual force, we are left with accomplishing mere “actions.”

With such a small force left in the country, it's very unlikely they will continue conducting full-scale combat operations. The occasional special operations raid is a real possibility but how do these theoretical, minor engagements, serve larger goals?



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/afghanistan-pullout-plans-2014-2014-2#ixzz2uiXfhvun