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...able to recognize changing curcumstances and to act expediently".
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I agree with that, especially the expidiant part. I also agree we need to concentrate on killing the enemy. We will never be able to kill enough without support from the people. The changing circumstances are these, as I see it.
The enemy has stepped up it's game by whooing the people, providing for their needs and using civilian deaths as a propaganda tool. THEY are winning the hearts and minds of the people on the ground. This is a fundamental change from what we have seen in the past, when the Taliban was despised by the people. WE need to offer the people a reason to ally with us, as we have slowly done in Pakistan and Iraq. We will not win over all the people all the time, but we can make headway with the bulk of the country, the Government by doing so.
It has been suggested we burn the poppie fields, that could be a double edged sword. First of all drugs are NOT the primary source of income for the Taliban. It plays only a secondary role, it's an important goal, but only one aspect of a larger plan. What will you offer the farmers in exchange, who have now lost the livelyhood? That kind of thinking is what I'm talking about, meeting the needs of the people in the towns and villages. We MUST have their support to hope for any kind of long term stability.
I am absolutely convinced the people do not want the Taliban in control, but what do we offer them that is better?
A couple of thoughts on the warrior mentality. Being on the ground, in combat, does not a General make. It certainly provided worthy insights to be considered by command. There is a good reason military command does NOT have the final say on how a conflict is carried out. Like troops on the ground who don't know all the "what if's" involved, Generals on the ground are much the same. They are focused on their immediate goal, the Commander in Chief is able to see a bigger picture. That is a good way to wage a war, in my opinion.