The Heritage Foundation - Leadership for America

Anticipating the arrival of 3,200 Marines set to reinforce 2,500 Canadian troops already deployed in his southern province, Afghan official Ahmed Wali Karzai told the Los Angeles Times: “The Canadians are fine, but Americans are Americans — the mentality is different. The Americans are very professional. They go in; they get out. It’s just like you see in the movies.”

Due to a minimalist approach to committing military forces, the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan has been unable to transform an overwhelming military victory in 2001 into a stable postwar political situation. The upcoming increase in troop levels in Afghanistan is a key component to revitalizing U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.