Getting the Basics Right in Afghanistan

[William F. Owen]

So, are we doing the right things? Reading that passage, my impression of West's suggestion is that we should worry less about whether Afghanistan has a functioning government. Just destroy the terrorist networks and be on our way. The lack of government in Afghanistan did not create al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda was simply drawn to the lack of governance.
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So the UGS policy is wrong, useless or never going to work? You may well be right. Your observation is annoyingly accurate and useful.

...but the requirement is still to make the stupid policy work.

The bit of COIN thinking that seems to be missing, is what activity US/NATO Forces security effort protecting and why? I've often asked this an no one (even an Afghan diplomat I met in London) seems to have a useful answer.

If military force cannot provide effective security - and thus break the will of the insurgent, what use is it?