Ricks was on Meet the Press this past Sunday and seemed to be warning that a U.S. pullout would lead to a Taliban resurgence, with all the atrocities associated with rule by that regime, so I’m not sure where he’s coming from. In listening to some of the pundits defending Obama’s doubledown strategy, however, I was struck by how many referenced the need to protect that civilian population against Taliban rule. It reminded me of the mission creep associated with our involvement in Iraq – an invasion first justified in terms of WMD’s, but that later expanded to involve establishing democracy, at least in some form. Is that type of mission expansion happening in Afghanistan?

I can see no positive outcome to all this blood and treasure we are spending. The country is sick of, and can barely afford, this war. Afghanistan is more likely to be his Waterloo.

From what I read, the troops themselves are confused about their mission and frustrated over the very restrictive rules of engagement. I think you are right on when you say this will define him as a leader…or not.

PS Tom Ricks is the best military reporter around. I think he will figure this out long before the administration does.