Success in Afghanistan

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, issued his counterinsurgency guidance to his forces on Aug. 26th. “Protecting the people is the mission,” said McChrystal, who explains the conflict in Afghanistan will be won by gaining the support of the population, not by destroying the enemy. He directed the troops to change their conventional mindsets and outlined the path to success through earning the trust of the Afghan people, partnering with the Afgan government forces, building governance and accountability, and improving and adapting ops to local conditions. In a nutshell, the goal is getting Afghans involved as active participants in the success of their communities, and protecting civilians and operating in a manner that is respectful and mindful of Afghan culture.br /br /Darned good advice, General McChrystal. That plan worked in Iraq. In a conventional war the goal is to find and kill the enemy forces—that done, most of the war is over. Not so now and our commanders properly recognize the difference. Now the question is, will they be allowed to stay there long enough to do the job.