This is by a violently Pro-American military analyst who lives and works in the US and loves the US like crazy. He actually has knowledge of all the places he discusses and doesn't apply ideology first. He also does not believe Pakistan can be taken over by the US independently, nor by the Indians if they acted independently without expecting a 50 years war. Well here's a prescription for the Amreekans to continue their "work" in Afghanistan and not leave the territory to Russia, China, Iran and all those countries they don't like:
Prescription for Afghanistan
KISS being a military axiom - as in Keep It Simple Stupid - we offer our prescription to what should be the US/NATO course in Afghanistan.
First, a ceiling of 10,000 troops, for logistics, support, training, and helicopter, transport, and fighter units.
Second, decide what is the optimum area that existing Afghan forces can hold. Say it is the five major provinces, then let's stick to those provinces.
Third, let the Afghans take the lead in deciding how/where/when/why they want to expand as additional forces come on line.
Four, leave Pakistan. As in leave Pakistan alone. As in get out of Pakistan, bid them adieu, farewell, aloha, whatever, and confine relations to the normal diplomatic and economic and whatever US does with friends.
The US part of the mission will cost $5-billion/year in direct operations, and $2.5-billion/year in assistance to the Afghanistan Government.
This is sustainable over 100 years. At some point the Taliban will get it: the west is not going to leave - ever, and at some point the Afghans will get it: that money aside, they have to carry the load of rebuilding the new Afghanistan.
Then you will see the Taliban and the Afghans negotiate.
