| The NATO forces in Afghanistan are there in a role of rebuilders and police. They are not fighting a military war. Acting as if they were and blaming the resultant collateral damage on someone else will NOT contribute to the goal of having the general population assist in stopping criminal militant activities.
And without that assistance, the job is impossible.
Similarly, the detainment of 'drug lord' Bashir Noorzai sends a clear message to anyone in Afghanistan that cares to listen. A message that Americans can't be trusted. A message for his clan in particular, that the US is their enemy. All of that, and the impact in the 'war on drugs' is negligible. His successor will be able to take over without a single shipment being lost. But he won't have any information to give about the Taliban. |
