I was in Basra during 2006 and 2007. IMO the author makes an accurate observation about how we planned and executed the extraction from Basra. However, I'll take some convincing that the same is possible in Helmand any time soon. I think this misses the strategic context but worth a read all the same.

http://www.rusi.org/research/militar...4A6D7D483D5C3/