The U.S. In Afghanistan: The Longest War

U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Newman watches the sunrise after a dismounted patrol mission near Forward Operating Base Baylough, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 19, 2009. Newman is assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Mancini

From Time Magazine:

The soldiers crept into the village of Loi Kolay under the light of a crescent moon, slipping into defensive positions around a darkened house, gun sights trained on the rocky cliffs above. Four sharp knocks on the wooden door echoed through the silent valley. "Niazamuddin, we know you are in there!" the interpreter shouted. After a few tense moments, the tribal elder appeared. For months the village leaders of the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Kunar had complained about the U.S. and Afghan armies' searching of houses, a practice that went against tribal custom. Niazamuddin had suggested that he go along on the next search to help soften the impact. The U.S. soldiers were about to take him up on his offer.

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My Comment: When you read accounts of what is happening on the ground (like this Time article), you walk away with the realization that there is no exit strategy. I can only hope that this perception is wrong .... but something is telling me that it probably is not.