And years after IBA authors have been railing about it ... the political class pundit advisory crew realizes....

Anthony Cordesman:

we need plans that recognize the key focus of the war is not Afghanistan but Pakistan. Afghan instability is a problem, but the strategic center of gravity is Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation that acts as a sanctuary for al-Qaeda, the Taliban and a range of local extremist movements. Reassuring rhetoric aside, U.S.-Pakistani relations continue to deteriorate, as does Pakistan’s internal stability at virtually every level.

You’re almost there, Tony.

Some argue that staying in Afghanistan and providing aid to Pakistan will guard our interests and help provide stability. Others think that our role in Afghanistan simply breeds tension with Pakistan or that there is little we can really do and we should therefore leave. Once again, Washington needs to make clear decisions flowing from a grand strategy.

But noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !

A plurality of the Pakistani people AT A MINIMUM are the ENEMIES and wish ill to the PEOPLE of the USA, and therefore, the ISI reflects this.

The ISI is the enemy of the people of the USA.

SAY IT……. SAY IT……

The United States needs a far more honest debate over all these issues and over whether there is a credible chance of forcing the Taliban into any viable form of political settlement.

If we are to stay in Afghanistan and have any hope of real victory, we need a transition plan, civil and military advisers, and aid programs to deal with these issues.

Tony, bubby, we are NOT going to change these guys into peace loving egalitarian liberal muslims willing to protect the bill of rights with equal fervor to the Quran. Just not gonna happen. Have you check Egypt and Turkey lately? The Christians in Iraq (there have been no Jews to speak of since ~1951)?

SET UP THE BIG DRONE BASES AND LAY ON MCDUFF, those left alive will figure the rest out. If you try to kill us, you get a surprise visit sooner or later from our representative.