The senior British commander in Afghanistan reportedly told a London newspaper that a “decisive military victory” over the Taliban is impossible and it is necessary to “lower our expectations.”

“We’re not going to win this war,” the Sunday Times newspaper quoted Brig. Mark Carleton-Smith as saying. “It’s about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that’s not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army.”

The newspaper also quoted Carleton-Smith as looking favorably on a deal with the Taliban.

“If the Taliban were prepared to sit on the other side of the table and talk about a political settlement, then that’s precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this,” Carleton-Smith said.

More at the Washington Post

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Here’s a video of Obama speaking with Lara Logan about Afghanistan on July 20th.