The iffy exit plan.

The war in Afghanistan entered a new and possibly decisive stage a week ago, following requests by American leaders for Afghanistan's elected officials to come to a settlement with Taliban leaders to end the war. The Americans had even assisted Taliban leaders in making it to meetings. Coupled with increased and heavier attacks by American and NATO forces, it is believed that American leaders are attempting to force the Taliban into an agreement by putting them in a diminished position. Leaders are skeptical that the settlements will be agreed upon by all Taliban leaders, or if the officials are just going to end up making deals with individual commanders. However, it's possible that these efforts might just fail and the American troops with just have to withdraw again next year with fewer prospects for a successful end.

Neither of the last two commander's in Afghanistan, Generals McChrystal and Petraeus, made the point of saying that the objective was to destroy the Taliban. Rather, they pointed out that it was an attempt to break their will, to break up their movements, and to settle with as many leaders as were willing to deal. That particular strategy appears similar to the one that brought Petraeus great success in Iraq. After American leaders negotiated with insurgent leaders in Iraq in 2007, the violence dropped dramatically. It may be that they hope to accomplish the same here. However, the number of ordinance being sent at the insurgents has increased by half of the original amount since negotiations were announced. Seeing as how one can expect some Taliban leaders to go back on their agreements and for their soldiers to defect, sounds like blowing them all to smithereens if they don't accept peace is a decent plan.