Foreign Policy: The Zombie War In Afghanistan

Perhaps you noticed the following two headlines from last week's New York Times (print edition; the online headline is different): "U.S. Will Widen War on Militants Inside Pakistan" and "Germany Will Begin Afghan Exit Next Year." Those two stories tell you a lot about the situation in Central Asia, especially when read in the context of the latest strategy review. Surprise, surprise: that review reaffirmed virtually all of the Obama administration's justifications for continuing the war, and offered just enough upbeat assessments to support a continued effort. At the same time, it provides just enough prophylactic pessimism to appear "realistic."