There are many levels to the question of "who is the jury"; and ones every action and word is sending a message to each of them.
Certainly for the US there is our populace at home.
The US also must be sensitive to the Afghan populace and the world populace, and the populace of specific countries that are crucial to this effort (either in support to the West's efforts, or to AQ).
You could say that you have different things that you are attempting to "prove" to each of those "juries," and that therefore one has a variety of critical elements and associated weak points that are unique to each; and that all must be considered in every action and word. Not an easy business.
As I said, the opponent has it much easier, because while the state must prevail in each of these audiances, the challenger must only prevail in creating adequate doubt in a single one, and the whole effort can collapse in their favor.
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