RE: http://shock.military.com/Shoc...isplayContent=205157

This was a good explanation on why Obama needs to send over the troops that General McChrystal asked for and not to "Dither" around like Vice President Cheney stated not long ago during an interview.

Comanche_21, you took the words right out of my mouth! Saw the same thing when I was in Iraq; it was two years after I left that the "dithering" finally ended and Bush instituted the Surge. Let's hope it doesn't take the current CIC two years to make up his mind!

I still didn't get who protect who?
They almost all hate America and it's allies.
my friends who fought in Afganistan in 1980's, told me that there you can't trust locals in any way (despite their words) at all.
First they all muslims, and all muslims support each other, we strangers and enemies for them for more then 1300 years;
This is east, and you can't trust anyone there.
Today they give you tea and treat you in kishlak, but as soon as you leave, or during the night, they get the rifle and shoot in you or tell all the information to the next insurgent. I know it will be unpopular decision, but this war has not much sense at all if you don't kill everyone there, all population.
Kids will grow and hate America the same way as their fathers did.
There are only one way to win, or hold the situation under control - kill everyone, or pay-them-back but in ten times more.
One soldier shot, come to the nearest village and shoot 10 men.
Patrol was blown, come to the nearest village and burn it with all villagers.
Soon, there will no guerrillas, no insurgents, just few survivors in mountains.
Come and get them in winter.
This strategy of course is "non-civilized" but pretty effective.
And the only surviving strategy in hostile territory which could save soldiers lives.