WHAT THE GENERALS THINK ABOUT AFGHANISTAN

The wingnuts really prefer war to diplomacy but the generals disagree.

BRITISH GENERAL:

From The [London] Times
October 6, 2008
We can't defeat Taleban, says Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith
Tom Coghlan in Kabul and Michael Evans, Defence Editor

The departing commander of British forces in Afghanistan says he believes the Taleban will never be defeated.

Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, the commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, whose troops have suffered severe casualties after six months of tough fighting, will hand over to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines this month.

He told The Times that in his opinion, a military victory over the Taleban was “neither feasible nor supportable”.

He indicated that the only way forward was to find a political solution that would include the Taleban. The Government of President Karzai has launched a reconciliation programme, although the hard core of Taleban commanders is thought to be implacably opposed to any compromise. Efforts are being focused on the so-called “tier-two” and “tier-three” Taleban, who are perceived to be less ideologically intransigent.

AMERICAN GENERAL:

Petraeus sees possible value in talking to Taliban
Wed Oct 8, 2008 3:40pm EDT

WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus said on Wednesday that negotiations with some members of the Taliban could provide a way to reduce violence in sections of Afghanistan gripped by an intensifying insurgency.

"If there are people who are willing to reconcile (with the government), then that would be a positive step in some of these areas that have actually been spiraling downward," said Petraeus, who will soon take up responsibility for U.S. operations in Afghanistan.