British commander says war in Afghanistan cannot be won - Reuters
 

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...4940O020081005

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's commander in Afghanistan has said the war against the Taliban cannot be won, the Sunday Times reported.

It quoted Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith as saying in an interview that if the Taliban were willing to talk, then that might be "precisely the sort of progress" needed to end the insurgency.

"We're not going to win this war. It's about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army," he said.

He said his forces had "taken the sting out of the Taliban for 2008" but that troops may well leave Afghanistan with there still being a low level of insurgency.

But Afghanistan's Defense Minister expressed his disappointment on Sunday at the commander's statements, maintaining the insurgency had to be defeated.

"I think this is the personal opinion of that commander," Abdul Rahim Wardak told reporters.

"..."

Yea well, the greatest leader in the only free nation on earth says it can be won and we're winning!

sounds about right...i'd say getting shit to a manageable level and getting the fuck out is a win tho...

No surprise there.

After all, the Russians had their asses handed to them in Afghanistan, too.

(by John Rambo, no less) :1orglaugh

Of course it can't be won, that is the point of the whole "War on Terror." There is no real definitive enemy. They can keep it going on and on forever if they want.

It's all about those poppies baby!

Much like the oil companies holding us all hostage with their price gouging.

Are you doing a Sarah Palin impersonation?

Fuck the 'war on terror'. I want to see the 'war on corruption'.

That's what happens when we go to war againt a buzzword.