As Prince Harry leaves Afghanistan for home, there are fresh reports that the Taliban has taken over in about 10% of the country.
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell recently informed the Senate Armed Services Committee of the Taliban's newly held territory, which sharply diverges from the assessment in January by Defense Secretary Robert Gates who stated, "The Taliban holds no territory in Afghanistan.
The new report by McConnell also states the fairly obvious: Any territory not being actively managed by Allied forces goes back to tribal control, and in some instances Taliban control.
This whole scenario reflects the flawed U.S. policy of invading Iraq. We took the resources in Afghanistan and diluted them by sending troops and resources to Iraq. Now we have two very different and vast war theatres, neither of which have the necessary troop levels and equipment to be successful long term.
We should get the hell out of Iraq and recommit resources to Afghanistan to ensure the success of this emerging country. To do any less would be a massive failure and send the message that the lawless behavior of the Taliban is status-quo.
The failure of "victory" in Afghanistan and Iraq also lays bare the fact that some places simply cannot support Western-style democracy.
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