Is the US Mission in Afghanistan 'Working'? Or is that Just Spin? By Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor
When President Obama announced this week that he would leave just over 5,000 US troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office – and contrary to his longtime pledge – the White House said the decision reflected a positive assessment of trends in America’s longest war.
“The fact the president wants to extend the mission is actually an indication it’s working,” said Josh Earnest, Mr. Obama’s spokesman.
Was that pure spin, or is the two-part mission in Afghanistan – to train and advise Afghan security forces, and to carry out counterterrorism operations – actually “working”?
The reality is some of both, say some analysts of the 14-year US effort in Afghanistan…