It seems unlikely that the Taliban can be prevented from taking complete control of Afghanistan without a continued NATO presence. Even now they are in control of much of the country assisted by Pakistan. The Taliban are winning the hearts and minds of the population, exacerbated by corrupt Afghan officials, in a virtual repeat of the Vietnam situation almost half a century earlier. When will we learn from past mistakes?

The Taliban in Afghanistan are being directly assisted by Pakistani security services, according to a secret Nato report seen by the BBC.

The leaked report, derived from thousands of interrogations, claims the Taliban remain defiant and have wide support among the Afghan people.

A BBC correspondent says the report is painful reading for international forces and the Afghan government......

In a damning conclusion, the document says that in the last year there has been unprecedented interest, even from members of the Afghan government, in joining the Taliban cause.

It adds: "Afghan civilians frequently prefer Taliban governance over the Afghan government, usually as a result of government corruption."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218

Armies have learned. Politicians have not whether they be Afghan or western.

Originally Posted by captiva303

Armies have learned. Politicians have not whether they be Afghan or western.

You said it, brother.

Politicians learn hard way...its same in every country.

Unfortunately it is everybody else who pays for their mistakes.

Originally Posted by captiva303

Armies have learned. Politicians have not whether they be Afghan or western.

You'r not wrong mate. The British governments are making the same mistakes today that they made after WW1, "Cut back the military."