Just been listening to Sir Simon Gass, NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan on the Today programme. He is optimistic about Afganistan when NATO troops leave, citing the excellent well-trained Afghan army, in particular their special forces, who he believes will be well capable of keeping the Taliban at bay.
I suppose I have to bow to Sir Simon's greater experience in theatre, but wouldn't these be the same Afghan soldiers who are killing their NATO allies on an almost daily basis? I wish I shared his optimism.