Quote of the Day

Here's COIN strategy for Afghanistan in a nutshell, from a village elder in the Garmser District of Helmand Province.

"If NATO really wants to bring peace and make us free from harm from the Taliban," the elder said, "they must make a plan for a long-term stay, secure the border area, install security checkpoints along the border area, deploy more Afghan National Army to secure the towns and villages, and then the people will be able to help them with security."

Maybe we should send him to Washington. Or better yet, to Brussels.

From "U.S. marines apply lessons learned in Iraq to Afghanistan" in today's IHT.