Given that the Obama Administration has essentially derailed any chance we might have of nurturing COIN operations by publicly announcing a commence-withdrawal date of July 2011, what now are the General's options? Petraeus knows that opposition to the war will eventually erode the Administration's committment. He must know he probably won't get the time he needs to complete the transition of Afghan army, security and police units into effective stand-alone forces. And he must also know how his enemies will use that withdrawal date as, a.) a powerful incentive to keep up the pressure and, b.) a propaganda nuke that convinces the populace--more than anything else we might say or do to the contrary--that any collaboration with US/NATO/ISAF is temporary and dangerous.
How does Petraeus approach this? What are his options? More surge? Mount offensives? Pump steroids into COIN? Focus on stabilizing? Ramp up/speed up/increase Afghan participation? All of the above?
How does Petraeus approach this? What are his options? More surge? Mount offensives? Pump steroids into COIN? Focus on stabilizing? Ramp up/speed up/increase Afghan participation? All of the above?
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