AFGHANISTAN: What's the plan?

your "question", while a bit lengthy, won't be read by many, but you present the conundrum facing the president quite well, and without political rancor so prevalent in here. Indeed, there are inherent risks no matter what course of action obama takes. Pulling out, giving al qaeda/taliban forces free reign to plan an attack and obama puts the country at risk. Escalating into pakistan also puts the country at risk. Most agree, the status quo is not working. And few recognize that unless the afghan people are willing to stand up for themselves, the cause is doomed. I wish i had the answer, but then, nobody does. Without trying to suck up, your question is one of the best ones i've ever seen asked, depressing though it is. My fingers are crossed, no matter what obama does or does not do.