The End of ‘An Economy Of Force’ Mission in Afghanistan?

“Success equals leadership plus strategy plus resources” said retired Lt. Gen. David Barno about Afghanistan. Although he doesn’t say it himself, he had the first element, as the former U.S. commander there from 2003 to 2005, but never the other two. He thinks that the confirmation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the new commander and the Obama administration’s new strategy heralds the end of Afghanistan as “an economy of force” mission. Still, I remember in October hearing the same thing from Gen. David McKiernan, whom McChrystal replaced and who was somewhat unceremoniously fired.