It is increasingly clear that a purely military victory in Afghanistan is impossible. The resurgence of the Taliban and the weakness of the government in Kabul have forced a rethink of strategies to help stabilize the war-torn country. The results were evident at the recent London conference on Afghanistan, where the focus was not on the military, but instead on the civilian tools that can bring peace to that long-suffering nation.
Success ultimately depends on two things: Donor governments keeping their word and providing the contributions they pledged, and the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai purging itself of the corruption that erodes its legitimacy and contributes to the fracturing of the country.
The military situation in Afghanistan grows increasingly grim. The Taliban has regrouped and is growing more formidable each day. It has increased the frequency of the attacks that it launches against the Kabul government and the international forces present in the country.