Afghanistan: Devising a Political Strategy and Exit

How to Use Afghan Culture to Devise a Political Strategy, and Exit – David Ignatius, Washington Post opinion.

If U.S. military commanders are right, here’s how the path out of Afghanistan begins: Several dozen weathered Pashtun farmers are sitting on carpets under a makeshift tent. It’s 45 days after U.S. Marines and Afghan troops have swept into this Taliban stronghold, and now the town’s elders are gathered in a shura.

A tribal leader named Haji Abdul Salam presents a long list of grievances: schools, clinics, roads, money to replace the opium poppy crop that’s blooming in the fields. An Afghan district governor named Gulab Mangal makes generous promises of assistance; hovering in the background are U.S. military and civilian officials who will pay the bills.

This is how conflicts end in Afghanistan: The Afghans talk out their grievances and eventually reach a deal. Money is exchanged and honor restored. Fighting often continues in the background, but most people go home until the next conflict begins…

More at The Washington Post.