The Afghanistan Papers A secret history of the war

Stranded without a strategy

Bush and Obama had polar-opposite plans to win the war. Both were destined to fail.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac5D6og9Z54

I grew up in Pakistan and there is no way to win the war in Afghanistan and I could have saved Bush a lot of money by telling him that. :)

The idea is to encircle China and take Pakistan out of Chinese orbit and US is counting on India to do so which is another foreign policy mistake. There are a lot of body bags arriving in India these days (from the border) as their Media is reporting and Pakistanees will just keep on killing Indians and there is no end to it.

You cannot fight Afghanistan and you cannot pacify Pakistan, won't happen. Both are gun countries, outdoor hunting culture with fierce Independent streaks...Haven't been subdued by anyone except Islam

Pakistan from day 1 was a US ally and Bush Snr and then Bill Clinton made a monumental error in breaking relations with Pakistan, it did 2 things:

1. Pushed Pakistan firmly into Chinese orbit and thus denied sea and land access to Afghan & Soviet Union
2. Gave rise to Pakistan backed Taliban

I am glad that Trump White house (with "interesting foreign policy") is beginning to see things as they are