They are more or less applying the same approach as the Soviet army in the 1980s - holding towns and some bases without widening the influence. We are not talking only of military but political influence as well to the countryside and provinces. They have provincial centres in all Afghan provinces, but unfortunately little else.
The article, quoting Andrey Avetisyan, isn't all negative as it states "But the new Western approach of protecting civilians is, I think, a step in the right direction."
Building institutions, effective power structures, effective government, which is representative of all political forces in Afghanistan - that is what is needed. Without these in place, the international community cannot leave.
The article Adm Mike Mullen: US is losing war in Afghanistan quoting Mullen states "We are not winning, which means we are losing and as we are losing, the message traffic out there to [insurgency] recruits keeps getting better and better and more keep coming."
Mullen admits that the 18 months Obama mentioned was nonsense as the article states Adm Mullen said the July 2011 date to begin withdrawing US forces is not an end or withdrawal date.
Mullin agrees with Andrey Avetisyan as the article, quoting Mullen states "In the long run, it is not going to be about killing Taliban," he told the marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. "In the long run, it's going to be because the Afghan people want them out."
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