AFGHANISTAN: A LONG SLOG WITH LOW EXPECTIONS

"Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday signaled sharply lower expectations for the war in Afghanistan, warning the conflict will be "a long slog" and that U.S. and allied military forces, even at higher levels, can achieve limited goals... The U.S. force in Afghanistan numbers about 36,000..."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012700472.html