A Glimmer Of Success In Afghanistan

CHINOOK SECURITY - U.S. soldiers provide security before loading a CH-47 Chinook during an air assault mission Dec. 18, 2009, Parwan, Afghanistan. The soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Division's Company B, Special Troops Battalion. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Allison

Marines Bring Rebirth To Taliban Stronghold -- Human Events

Now Zad, Afghanistan -- A rebirth of Now Zad is taking place just two weeks after U.S. Marines dislodged extremist Taliban from this northwestern portion of Helmand Province, but it’s also occurring under the very real threat of enemy retaliation.

In Now Zad town, once the second-largest population center in Helmand, hundreds of displaced residents are returning daily from outlying villages to clear away rubble and debris.

Hundreds of children each day are attending a school started by Afghan-American interpreters.

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My Comment: To have a long term (successful) impact, U.S. forces must remain in the town for a few years until the Afghan Army is up to speed and capable of securing territory that has been claimed. Unfortunately for the average Afghan citizen .... this is probably not going to happen.