The situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating along with U.S. public support for the war, Washington's top military officer said on Sunday as he left open the possibility of another increase in troops.
"I think it is serious and it is deteriorating, and I've said that over the past couple of years -- that the Taliban insurgency has gotten better, more sophisticated," said Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The so-called "resurgent" Taliban hasn't managed a spring offensive despite ominous warnings the last several years.
The so-called "resurgent" Taliban couldn't disrupt the recent elections with many more attacks than usual.
The "more sophisticated" enemy attacks mean more IEDs, but that is a step down the escalation ladder to mere terrorism. Road bombs are no way to win a war, as the Iraq campaign demonstrated. So while deaths may go up, this should only anger the Afghans and make them hate the Taliban all the more.
And more US casualties are caused by far more US troops being used more aggressively in Afghanistan.
The enemy is resilient, in no small part due to their sanctuary in Pakistan and their drug revenue. But don't mistake that for America losing. I just don't see it.
That isn't to say we are winning--but since I'm not sure what our objective is for our Afghan escalation, I can't really assess that chance.
