-fghan Taliban behind. While the administration thinks about negotiating with terrorists, it is important to see what we are negotiating over. First off, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, recently said that “the Taliban cannot militarily defeat us – but we can defeat ourselves.” I interpret this to mean not only that our actions can alienate the local population if there is too much collateral damage, but also that the timid administration and the similarly soft liberals in Congress are the only people who can give the terrorists a victory by leaving early, negotiating, and allowing Al Qaeda to reconstitute itself.

The victories of our troops in Afghanistan cannot be sacrificed in the name of making political points. For example, a few days ago, the Afghan flag flew over southern Helmand province, something that would never have been possible if not for our Marines driving out the Taliban. We did not negotiate with the Taliban and ask them to leave. We came in with guns drawn and defeated an enemy that specializes in running away. What our troops need is more support from everyone here in the United States, especially the Commander-in-Chief, so that we can wrap up the mission in Afghanistan, get justice for 911, and free the Afghan people from the brutal Taliban regime.

If we let our troops do their job, the Taliban and Al Qaeda won’t simply be asking to talk, they’ll be begging for mercy. To our soldiers in the field, keep up the good work.

-AG