As pressure to end the war builds in Washington, supporters of the war in Afghanistan will invariably return to their strongest argument: the threat of Al-Qa'eda. However, a reasonable understanding of the terrorist organization shows that even Al-Qa'eda is not enough to justify a bloody and expensive occupation.
The real endgame Karzai is working toward is that of a nominal, Pashtun-nationalist government in Kabul overlaying a Taliban-dominated countryside. Together they function not only as a crime family capable of exploiting Afghanistan's resources but also as a highly effective proxy for Pakistan's interminable battle against Indian influence.
As the US campaign in Helmand and Kandahar, blame has increasingly shifted toward allies like NATO, Karzai, and Pakistan. The US wants them to "do more." But they are doing more. The problem is not our allies, but the war itself.
Are we preparing for an American invasion of Pakistan's tribal regions? Actions by the Pakistani military, comments from the intelligence community, and even the White House response to new terror attacks seem to suggest these preparations are already under way. And no good can come of it.