Earlier this year I was optimistic that peace could be achieved in Afghanistan and I presented a scenario in my ireport on how that could be possible. the earlier ireport can be found in the link below

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-543569

As we mark the end of the decade of the war in Afghanistan I am deeply disappointed that we have reached a point of no return to peace and stability in Afghanistan. While remembering the fallen soldiers and the deep sorrow that has caused their loved ones, there will be celebrations and heart warming stories of happy reunion with family and friends marking the safe return of thousands of US and NATO troops such as the one in image 1-5, but as a nation we are stuck in a steady stalemate due to the hardened positions of the west and the Taliban. With the recent loss of a major Afghan peace maker and the Taliban continuing to chip sporadically into the uneasy calm established by the NATO forces, the window of opportunity to make peace with the Taliban has evaporated leaving a possibility of the US troops in Afghanistan staying there for another decade or the Taliban gaining an uppderhand. currently our predisposition is between frying pan and fire. so much for smart diplomacy.