From a new report by Matt Waldman (LSE and Harvard) on relations between the ISI and the Taliban:

"Almost all the Taliban commanders interviewed believe the ISI are represented on the Quetta Shura. One senior southern commander said: 'Every group commander knows the reality--which is obvious to all of us--that the ISI is behind the Taliban, they formed and are supporting the Taliban.' He also explained why it was not widely known: 'Every commander knows about the involvement of the ISI in the leadership but we do not discuss it because we do not trust each other, and they are much stronger than us. They are afriad that if they say anything against the Taliban or ISI it would be reported to the higher ranks--and they may be removed or assassnated ... Everyone sees the sun in the sky but cannot say it is the sun.'"

Our potential failure in Afghanistan has little to do with tactics and everything to do with our inability to convince our friends and enemies alike that we plan to see the conflict through.