"...on the ground, according to yesterday's Economist, "the mood is bleaker." Poor deluded fools! Don't they know that an impressive three per cent (or maybe even more?) of Afghanistan's territory is under their secure control?" - Peter K

3% under who's control Peter?

"US bombing of wedding parties" - Is a regular occurrence Peter? How many instances of that have ther been in the last 7 years? Oh and tell us exactly what it is that the Taleban can offer the people of Afghanistan? Any idea what it was that brought the Taleban into existence? And if we are "losing" so comprehensively in Afghanistan Peter why is there any fighting in Pakistan??