(17) It adds some meaning to the otherwise meaningless but convenient distinction drawn between the "Afghan" and the "Pakistani" Talibunnies, and then again between the "Talibunnies" and "al Qaeda". See for reference Page 7 of
NYT - In the Land of the Taliban First referenced here on
Into the Valley of Death
(18) The major highways currently being laid out in the Central Afghanistan - not an area directly connected to the insurgency - is strengthening Kabul's hand at a national level. Any connection to the outside world that doesn't pass through the Pashtun heartland in the South and the East is a measure of security against constant black-mail. The survivability and viability of the democratically elected government in Kabul is by far the biggest question mark in the minds of the Afghans, who are consequently hedging their bets and making Allied COIN much more difficult.
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By the way, with all due respect to Dr Kilcullen, roads are only half of the equation: The other half is mortars and howitzers.
