Tillerson: time for Taliban to help rule Afghanistan

[SoLongAtlas]

It's not a loss but just acceptance of reality. They must be brought to the table because they will be running a majority of Afghanistan after we leave. The Taliban did deals with Exxon back in the 90s so there's that, too. US policy of defeating every single last fighter in Afghanistan whilst not creating two more was asinine and the opposite of effective COIN. This last step of bringing the Taliban to the table was always the final step, even under Obama. Obama admin officials talked with them.

Honestly, I can see a prolonged SOF presence but a pullout of most troops along with a major effort by Pakistan but they play both sides, especially re Waziristan. China could step in as they have a major stake in Afghanistan's rare earth elements but they don't want to involve themselves in the hornets nest unless it's completely necessary.