American politicians try not to talk about it, but it’s been apparent to the Pakistani security complex for some time: the Afghan Taliban cannot be militarily defeated.

American politicians try not to talk about it, but it has been apparent to the Pakistani security complex for some time: the Afghan Taliban cannot be militarily defeated. In this latest episode of Nation Conversations, managing editor Roane Carey and journalist Graham Usher discuss the ramifications that this uncomfortable claim has on America’s military strategy in the region, and on our future withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan. You can read more of Graham’s analysis of Middle Eastern conflicts here.

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—Teresa Cotsirilos