The Best-Case Afghanistan Scenario

December 5, 2009
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Deep within the jargon-encrusted, repetitive prose of Gen. Stanley McChrystal's official  assessment of the situation in Afghanistan lies a little-noticed clue to the puzzling plan announced by President Obama this week. In a brief section on "reintegrating" insurgent fighters into Afghan society, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force  reviews the most basic reality of counterinsurgent warfare.