Michael Yon’s latest:
…Today, spring 2011, we are making net progress in Afghanistan. I first began writing from here in 2006. In these five years I’ve brought you unending negative news on the matter of how well the Unites States and our allies have succeeded in meeting our goals in the war. But now, for the first time, the tide may be turning. Different enemy factions in this theater have been taking a brutal beating.
This isn’t the endgame. But the battle for 2011 is unfolding before our eyes. Recent observations suggest that it will be the most deadly so far…
The bottom line seems to be that good things are getting done, it is very difficult and often bloody work and, in the end, we can come out of Afghanistan with a win – or, at least, as much of a win as we’re likely to get. The troops on the ground (and, it must be noted, the various contractors and aid groups, as well as a goodly portion of the Afghan people) are willing to do what it takes – what will decide the fate of Afghanistan is our political will to see it through. Will we keep it up?
2012 is coming. Obama clearly would prefer to have Afghanistan done before he gets deep in to his re-election mode. The American people are tired of war – and increasingly distracted by domestic woes. The Taliban will want to try and drag things out and continue to sap our political will to keep it up. Everything is balanced on a knife edge…
I pray for our troops, for our allies and for our leaders to show the wisdom and courage necessary to do the right thing.
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