so glad we're winning in afghanistan

like the soviets before us, the US and its NATO "allies" are deeply mired in an intractable conflict with the pashtun tribes of afghanistan, a prospect that fills them with dread. still, it's with a stiff upper lip that the military establishment and the politicans who enable it continue to insist that we're making progress, and that ultimately we'll enjoy "success" when our afghan "partners" are able to maintain control while our troops retreat to the "enduring" bases, from which they'll continue to dominate the energy heartlands of the planet.

still, to complicate the rosy scenarios that we're being continually force fed by our establishment media outlets, we have brazen attacks against the puppet government in the seat of its power, kabul. the taliban are so successful at disrupting the illusion painstakingly painted of peace and order in the capital that the entire city is brought to a standstill as attacks are launched by infiltrators from all sides.

nevertheless, there's nothing to worry about:

Militants attack government and Nato buildings in Kabul | World news | The Guardian: "The attack is the latest in a series of high-profile attacks in Kabul, including last month's storming of the British Council, and is likely to further undermine Afghans' belief that their security forces are unable to prevent – or even adequately combat – the insurgents.

President Hamid Karzai praised the security forces and said their "timely reaction demonstrates their improved ability". He said the attacks were designed to affect the process of transition of security responsibilities to Afghans: "The attacks cannot stop the process [transition] from taking place and cannot affect, but rather embolden our people's determination in taking the responsibility for their country's own affairs.

Nato was equally bullish. "We are witnessing the Taliban trying to test transition but they can't stop it. Transition is on track and it will continue," said Nato's secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen."

transition is on track and will continue, and afterwards we'll all go out for an ice cream.

if this is "success," i can't begin to imagine what failure looks like...