Homey don't play that game:
One American military officer who labeled McNeill a "warfighter to the bone" said his arrival likely signals the end of such deals, saying they would go under "much greater scrutiny." The official asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.
A senior Afghan military official, meanwhile, said the Defense Ministry expected McNeill to implement a policy of "strong military action." Other American officials said they expected a stronger approach under McNeill without specifying what that would be.
The Taliban will likely not survive their success. Though just taking a town will cause us a problem in the future if locals believe the Taliban will come in like Musa Qala.
I would also like to note that our troop level is at an all-time high:
There are now 26,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the highest number ever. About 14,000 American forces fall under the command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force; 12,000 troops focused on training Afghan forces and special operations fall under the U.S.-led coalition.
In addition:
The United States supplies the largest number of foreign troops backing the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai, followed by Britain (5,200), Germany (3,000), Canada (2,500) and the Netherlands (2,200). Thirty-two other countries provide some troops.
The British and Canadians fight. I think the Dutch do, too.
Also, this might be relevant:
The appointment of McNeill, one of only 11 four-star generals in the Army, raises the profile of the American mission here two weeks after the Defense Department extended the tour of 3,200 10th Mountain Division soldiers.
I've long said that if we are going to take on Iran, we'd want more troops in both Afghanistan and in Iraq. With a surge planned for Iraq which I don't believe needs all five Army brigades and troop strength up in Afghanistan, with an American four-star in charge of NATO forces in Afghanistan, and the apparent European acceptance that Iran will not negotiate no matter what we offer, are we about to see something happen to end the Iranian nuclear threat?
The President doesn't like small ball, as I've noted.
