"We do not use the word 'win'"

"We can't kill our way out of this problem." So saith a senior British official in describing the tactical changes planned by British forces in Afghanistan. In order to undermine recent gains by forces of the former Afghan government the British plan to engage with average Afghanis, who they believe do not support the Taliban, in an effort to encourage them to quit fighting, rejoin their tribes and take advantage of human rights laws and increasing government presence.

The British are also concerned that plans to by the Americans to attempt to eradicate the opium crop will drive impoverished farmers without alternate sources of income back into Taliban hands.