Although counterinsurgency doctrine was successfully implemented in urban Iraq, it has proved hhmore difficult to apply in the sparsely-populated mountains of Kunar and Nuristan.

U.S. forces are disproportionately committed to defending marginally significant areas in these remote provinces.

U.S missions in eastern Afghanistan, specifically places like the Korengal and Pech River Valley, must be re-examined and forces must be re-deployed to areas where they will have greater effect.

The Korengal Valley in Kunar province is the deadliest place in Afghanistan. The population is historically hostile to any outside influence, including any Afghans from outside the valley.

The Korengalis have successfully...