In any insurgency there will be people who are irreconcilable and who pose a clear and present threat to the U.S. and our allies.

Eighty-five percent cannot read when they enter the security forces of Afghanistan. Why? Because the Taliban withheld education during the period of time in which these men and women would have learned to read.

You can't kill your way to success in a counter insurgency effort. You have to protect the people, get the civil military balance right, train the locals, and practice effective strategic communications.

James G. Stavridis Quotes