Reply #11: Anyone else read the report?

[Robb]

I did. And I would write quite a different article.

A significant majority (80%+) of Afghans feel their security situation and outlook are improved. More than half blame the Taliban for the country's problems. Violence in the last three months has, as we say, "failed to get worse." ME funding sources for the Taliban are drying up. And Taliban infighting is leading to internal strife and bloodshed.

I found it largely encouraging, and "downbeat," relatively speaking, only if your last name is Karzai. Or if you believe the ultimate goal is to leave Karzai in charge.

Fortunately, as we've observed, it is not.