Yep. Tony speaks what no politician can/will. As with so many military efforts, the war in Afg can't be won solely inside the borders of that country. While all of Afg's neighbors are part of the eventual solution (good, bad or ugly), none plays the role Pak will.

Now the challenge is to win in Pak without unraveling the entire S. Asian construct. See that the new nom for Ch, ODC is a squid.