When I was there, Bin Laden was still alive. I felt then, that we belonged there. After about 2011-2012, I felt we should have pulled out.
Conventionally speaking, you are right. But they are very crafty, I give them that. Like fighting ghosts, most of the time. Getting into firefights every day, getting blown up a few times a week. Their 5 year old kids are triggermen to IEDs, 15 year olds with Dragunovs. We got one of them that was plaguing us for a few months. He was a good shot, too, that kid. His luck just ran out. Turned him into swiss cheese, firing into the woodline. It was only after we found his body we realized he was just a kid. Usually are pretty good about dragging their dead away. He must have been doing his thing solo.
Definitely don’t underestimate them, though. They’re a bit backwards, but they aren’t stupid. The dumb ones are mostly already dead.
