A Good Quote

"Genius consists of knowing when to to stop." De Gaulle

George Will calls for a pullout of American troops from Afghanistan.

We have one goal in Afghanistan: do not allow Al Queda bases. We can accomplish this goal with robust intelligence and Special Forces operating in and right outside Afghanistan.

We do not need to secure the population. To do so would require hundred of thousands of troops stationed there for 10 plus years and massive investment in education and infrastructure. It might even take 50 years. We don't have the money or patience for such an adventure.

We should set fire to poppy farms and terrorize Al Queda with drones and special forces and CIA hits. We target the more radical elements of the Taliban and undermine them and try to empower the less radical.

The biggest question is whether would be a betrayal of friends in Afghanistan. I don't think so. We should help to the extent we can, but Afghanistan is not the place we want to "all in."