Draw Down Troops but Step Up Diplomacy in Afghanistan: Vali Nasr
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June 23 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama will wantAmericans to see his announcement of upcoming U.S. troopwithdrawals from Afghanistan as proof that we are defeating theTaliban. But for many, his decision will only confirm that 10years of war, more than 1,600 American lives and $444 billion oftaxpayer money have been wasted. The verdict need not be sodire.
It is possible to get to an acceptable outcome, but only iffuture troop drawdowns are tied to a clear plan for ending thewar. Otherwise, a unilateral decision to withdraw will set theU.S. up for failure and spell disaster for Afghanistan.