An article published by Reuters West faces a losing battle for Afghan “human terrain questions the efficacy of U.S/NATO operations focused on winning “the human terrain,” what Commander of ISAF David Petraeus considers the “key-battleground” for the hearts and minds of Afghan populations. The article contrasts perceptions of the Afghanistan war between “the West” and “Taliban-led insurgents,” and argues that “Western forces” are losing a war in which “victory” is defined by Afghan perceptions of intensified counterinsurgency operations, media coverage of the war effort, and sympathy of local civilians for an expanded US/NATO military presence in Afghanistan.

You can read the article here.