[Basenshukai]

I fondly remember briefing one of the top military figures of the Afghan army. I was briefing him in a place where you could see a lot of our systems - though things were pretty much "sanitized" for the sake of proper OPSEC. Anyway, when the briefing was done (and it was fairly brief, I might add), the general spoke to his interpreter for about two minutes. The interpreter turned to me and said: "The general says that, 'If we only had all these computers, we'd be able to do much more'" I smiled and shook hands and sent the entourage - and their general - on their way to the rest of their journey through our compound. At that moment it became completely clear to me that the truest lessons of war have not yet reached this emerging security force. Computers do not make a good army; they are capabilities and, at times, can be liabilities. Also, warfare's experience alone does not make an army out of a group of armed men; it takes a measure of civilization behind that experience to steer those hard-earned lessons to create a viable army. And, civilization is far more than having the latest technology.

By the time I left Afghanistan this time around, I left with the feeling that the Afghan war effort on our part was akin to a dying elephant on its way to its grave. Victory in Afghanistan is now undefined. Certainly, complete victory seems beyond reach at this point. And, even if it was within reach - say ten more years and a thousand casualties more - to what end? I have a few friends who have either lost limbs, or their lives, on Afghan soil. I'd like to think that they sacrificed for their team mates, and ultimately for National Security. But, the question that bothers me is, "Was it necessary?" I'll keep convincing myself that it was; I have to sleep at night after all.