Kingo1RTR,

I like the last paragraph:
Yet it is not sustainable for the primary military effort of the West’s two most capable powers to be indefinitely focused on a handful of remote Afghan provinces. The price of a sustained Western commitment to Afghanistan is that its liability – in blood and treasure - has to be kept to manageable levels.
Now we both, plus other allies (Danes, Estonians etc), have made in media reporting Helmand the focus - how could we readily redeploy? IMHO that aspect the author does not cover.

What is avoided in the UK, not sure about the USA; is why are we so heavily committed in Helmand Province? Is it that crucial, I fear not. What are the key areas in Afghanistan? Unlikely to be those of the Soviet period - the main circular highway and the cities.

davidbfpo