Conditions in Afghanistan and around the world are creating a chance to rapidly bring peace to Afghanistan in the near future – faster than conventional wisdom thinks is possible. The people of both America and Afghanistan are tired of war. Even many lower-level insurgents are tired of fighting. Historically, many insurgencies have begun resolving themselves after around eight years. Given these realities, the U.S. should state a clear goal of leaving as soon as morally possible and make an official (if not public) call for negotiations to begin. Doing this will open the door to peace.
Update 9/15/2010: NPR story - Petraeus on "reconciliation" and a "more nuanced" approach
Update 7/31/2010: A NY Times article showing some movement in the right direction
