But the big targets are the financial and smuggling networks buy weapons and explosives and get it into the country. These are being found out and attacked. As a result, the Taliban have shortages of cash and supplies. This has forced the Taliban to act more like gangsters and steal or extort money and goods from local Afghans. This makes the Taliban more unpopular, and is a key reason for the growing number of Afghan tribes and villages that are willing to take help from NATO and the government to defend themselves. Once you let it be known that you will resist the Taliban with force, you are at war with the Taliban. But NATO can supply information about the local Taliban, and, via radios or cell phone numbers, access to reinforcements, or air strikes, for defended villages.Yes, some of the enemy are so committed that they will fight without being paid much, but many more will go home if there is no pay. And even for those who fight, they are more likely to die since their resources are lower.
We are winning this war. Period. Foes of the war are now giving it the Iraq treatment--claiming we are doomed and so their calls to retreat are really saving us from more losses before we finally admit we are beaten rather than being defeatism.
The anti-war side is beaten--they always are. But our troops and our allies are making progress. The anti-war side failed to lose Iraq for us despite their efforts. Don't let them succeed now over the Afghanistan campaign.
