America and NATO has been trying to bomb the Taliban into submission for 16 years, and has failed for 16 years.
All the regional nations have been trying to coax the Taliban into peace talks for 16 years, and they continue to fail after 16 years.

There was a time in the not so distant past when a military was judged by its ability to win wars and defeat enemies. In fact, all throughout history, until very recently, that was the only measure of a military.
During most of history, a general who lost the war then had his head removed from his shoulders.

I'd like to say that a group of Americans got motivated enough to demand peace, but liberals don't do that anymore.
Instead, the anti-war movement I'm speaking of is coming from a place where gathering in groups of 10 or more makes you a target for being blown up. So just protesting for peace requires an incredible amount of courage, and that's what makes it so inspiring.

Every once in a while I check taskandpurpose.com because it has colorful articles such as Drones Aren’t F*&king Magic, People.
However, today's article was even better - The Pentagon Is Really Ramping Up The High Quality Bullsh*t About Afghanistan.

While the news media is fixated on more turmoil in the White House, Defense Secretary Mad Dog Mattis was in Afghanistan.

Back in December Vice President Mike Pence went to Afghanistan and announced "real progress" is being made. A few months earlier Trump told everyone "great progress is being made.”

Three months ago the International Criminal Court began collecting testimony for prosecuting war crimes that happened in Afghanistan during our 16 years of occupation. They probably didn't expect what would happen.

For 16 years American presidents have talked about Afghanistan in their SOTU speeches and promised us victory. Trump is no different.

Trump's mini-surge in Afghanistan is underway. Troop levels are expected to reach 16,000 early next year (from 8,400).
That may sound significant, but it isn't.