It is NOT a WAR. It is a conflict, much as Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Desert Storm I and II. Congress DID NOT declare WAR. Therefore it is not a war. Doesn't much matter to the guys on the two-way range, but a WAR allows much greater governmental control of the economy, manufacturing and all that. A declared WAR indicates that the full resources of the nation are available and can and will be used to destroy the enemy. We haven't done that since WWII. We keep trying to be nice and not kill too many and to not offend anyone. We should declare WAR. We should carry the full might of the US economy and military into the fight. We should destroy everyone and everything that is either attacking us or enabling the enemy. A few missions against the Taliban where we turn a village or town into a moonscape is what we need. Playing "nice" and trying not to blow up a building or two but to just try to surgically kill a bad guy obviously isn't working. If they retreat to the mountain caves, then FAE's, bunker busters and caving in the mountain side to destroy the caves should be the answer. Bring back the flame thrower and make some crispy Taliban critters. Heavy bombing strikes, taking and holding ground, scorched earth everywhere else. Deny the Taliban places to hide, support, money and refuge. If we "own" it, they can't use it. That's how we got the Germans, Italians and Japs. Worked well in Korea until the Chinks got involved. Nothing else has worked since then.
NGH