Hoh speaks from experience. he served two tours of duty in Iraq and is credited by the Special inspector general for Iraq with running one of the few successful US-funded development projects in that country. In the case of Afghanistan, Hoh sees localized insurgencies, with hundreds or thousands of small groups fighting the US occupation forces, the corrupt government, and sometimes each other. The goal of these groups is maintaining their local power bases.

Hoh's resignation has apparently shaken many of those in the Obama administration concerned with Afghan policy. The Washington Post details the positive responses from foreign service and administration officials. They all credit Hoh's intelligence and his record of service to country. but, so far, at least publicly, they are not responding positively to his message. Let us hope this changes before more troops are sent on a hopeless quest.