"President Barack Obama likely will scale back U.S. ambitions here."

"WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama probably will scale back U.S. ambitions for troubled Afghanistan to redefine victory in a war that his closest military and foreign affairs advisers say cannot be won on the battlefield.

"Even before a planned doubling of U.S. forces in Afghanistan this year, the new administration is lowering its sights and lowering expectations. Although general agreement exists that the United States will be in Afghanistan for years to come, the new focus is on how to show even small security gains and development progress quickly."

Picking up after George. It's really sad, the Afghans deserved more than a completely corrupt, war-torn narco-state.

I'm remembering all the flowery words from George. We wouldn't leave them before the job was finished, we'd build and rebuild schools, clinics, hospitals, roads.

The Taliban is stronger than ever, threatening Pakistan even, the US military is drained, and narcotics producers and dealers control the government and countryside.

Tragic.

Arf