I disagree. I think the problem is that in some parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban represent authentic Afghani nationalism whereas the warlord government in Kabul is seen as incompetent quislings. If the populace thinks you're a joke controlled from DC, then it doesn't matter how many American soldiers you have helping you; firefights are irrelevant.
Look, the US has spent upwards of $250 billion in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a GDP of maybe $21 billion. If we can't bring about a government that the population sees as legitimate after blowing a decade and ten times GDP, maybe we should just accept the fact that our military is not capable of transforming alien societies in the way that we wish it could.
Look, the US has spent upwards of $250 billion in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a GDP of maybe $21 billion. If we can't bring about a government that the population sees as legitimate after blowing a decade and ten times GDP, maybe we should just accept the fact that our military is not capable of transforming alien societies in the way that we wish it could.