A cousin of mine is currently doing his Phd from Durham UK, in War Studies. His topic is the current war in Afghanstan and how the US can acheive success. He has met several top brass in the Pak Army, ISI, an others from ISAF and NATO as well. He also met Mc Crystal, Mc Master to name a few. He is also working with a top think tank and NATO aswell and his study/work has taken him to Afghanstan many a times. Last when he was here was when Mc Crystal was still running the show.
He said that the NATO and US forces are absolutely frustated over thier tribulations in the sand box. Intel communities give them bad intel, the soldiers' morale is at a record low and are always flustered. Pocker Arguements turn into deadly gun fights where soldiers have even killed their platoon mates. The ANA personel due to their age old mentality of having a feircely independent nature refuse to take commands from foreign commanders and regard them as 'eye-candy'
Brit troops are actually given an organisational level training how to avoid getting raped by the Afghan Army.
The Afghans regard the Brits a their legendary enemy and still talk of the Anglo-Afghan wars of the 1800s.
He further said that the US commanders are severly pissed off at the panzies in the white house and there are many serios strategic/tactical difference of opinions. Mistrust prevails between the fighting forces and the intel frcesand the integrity and intensions of the CIA are highly questioned by the commanders.
The US top commanders have come to realize that this war is just a big black hole which will suck up everything that the US might takes pride in. They are desperate fo Pak Army support and document the pivitol role of Pakistan in the end game and otherwise in the region as well. Needless to say this petulance of the ISAF and US is a big hinderance in over all war successes.
US Gen. McMaster who was closely working under McCrystal does not beleive that COIN is going to work in Afghanstan and ther is NO WAY OUT IN SIGHT UNLESS PAKISTAN OPTS TO HELP THEM.
PMCs like Black water who are incharge of providing security to important personel and installtions as well as provide logistic support are compensated with exhuberant fee and in turn all they do is hand out money to the Taliban to not dispurt security and 'cooperate' with the PMCs. Sometimes they succeed and some times they don't.
The decision makers DO-NOT want to hear any thing else other than military heavy handed tactics and any of the commanders who suggest other wise and marked for insubordination.
I think that Gen Rod doesn't watch his mouth, he too will pay a visit to the White House where he will be stripped and spankd like Mc Crystal.
Sadly, the US and NATO want to beleive that India can help in thi situation but are certain that letting India in the equation will just spead up their anhiliation
However the politicians are nt paying any heed to the commanders.