Afghanistan defies the US battle plan

Afghanistan defies the US battle plan
Prior to the Vietnam War, counter-insurgency thinking was considered a new and even adventurous way of defeating wars of national liberation. Later, it became synonymous with Western ideas of development - turning a backward traditional society into a vigorous modern nation. Afghans see the concept in a different light: a foreign power is occupying their land, just like the Russians, British, Persians and Mughals before them. - Brian M Downing (May 12,'09)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KE13Df03.html