When Strategy Ends

Twice in the last half-century, Afghanistan has been invaded by Western forces in what was expected to be a short and effective coup de main. Both resulted in protracted conflicts: the Soviet intervention lasted from 1979 to 1989 and the US-led intervention that was initiated in 2001 will draw to a close in 2014. Also, in both cases the decision to drawdown militarily is contingent on continued support to nation building and massive economic aid.