On Tuesday night, the Frontline television show examined the current dynamics behind the war in Afghanistan. The episode was appropriately titled "Obama's War." During the campaign, President Obama firmly opposed the war in Iraq and stated that Afghanistan was where America needed to place its focus. Since taking office, the war in Afghanistan has continued to drag on with no improvements. More troops were dispatched earlier this year, but General McChrystal is still asking for more. At eight years, this is becoming a no win situation.

The Frontline episode examined many interesting aspects of the war: widespread government corruption in Afghanistan, lack of support on behalf of Pakistan, and the inability to defeat the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

So back to the most basic question that we faced in Iraq: why don't we just cut and run?

And back to the most basic answer, because we can't.

By leaving the country while it is in such a weak state, we would allow the Taliban to easily regain control of part if not all of the country. When the Taliban were in power, they ruled with an iron fist and allowed no freedom. If we pull out and the Taliban regain control, the last eight years were a waste. There has been too much human sacrifice to just pack up and go home.

When can we say when though? The Soviets gave in after nine years.

As for further troop increase, I would advise the President against it. General McChrystal wants about 45,000 more troops to add onto the already 60,000 plus already there. That would be over 100,000 American troops to fight the Taliban. It could be seen as one last ditch effort before year nine. Such an increase would only draw more anti-American sentiment though. It seems that Bush's quagmire in Iraq has become Obama's quagmire in Afghanistan.