Targeted Assassinations Of Taliban Commanders Are Having An Impact

Marines patrolled with Afghans near Marja in May. The administration’s shift in thinking has been gradual but perceptible. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Targeted Killing Is New U.S. Focus In Afghanistan -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — When President Obama announced his new war plan for Afghanistan last year, the centerpiece of the strategy — and a big part of the rationale for sending 30,000 additional troops — was to safeguard the Afghan people, provide them with a competent government and win their allegiance.

Eight months later, that counterinsurgency strategy has shown little success, as demonstrated by the flagging military and civilian operations in Marja and Kandahar and the spread of Taliban influence in other areas of the country.

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My Comment: This is what General McChrystal was responsible for in Iraq .... and it was done effectively. Will this produce the same result in Afghanistan .... I am skeptical. The senior leadership have their safe havens in Pakistan, and finding mid-level commanders has not been a problem for the Taliban. But if this type of attrition continues for any length of time (i.e. one year or two) .... who knows .... this dynamics may change.