The United States and its allies and partners must not only understand Iran’s regional strategy and influence but also develop a coherent strategy of their own with which to confront them. Considering the relative economic, political, and diplomatic power of the two sides, it is unacceptable for the United States and its allies to allow Iran even such progress as it has made in these realms.

Ahmad Majidyar and Ali Alfoneh examine how the Iranian government systematically uses the forced repatriation of Afghans living in Iran to undermine U.S.-led efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.

Previous efforts by the Afghan government to negotiate peace with the Taliban have failed, and there is little hope the current process will bear fruit, so the United States and NATO should focus on defeating the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

While the arrest of a high-ranking Taliban leader could deal a serious blow to the Taliban in the short term, its long-term impact on overall Taliban activity in Afghanistan, Kabul's reconciliation efforts, and U.S.-Pakistan cooperation should not overstated.

It is too soon to know what General Stanley McChrystal might ask for, but any sound strategy to achieve the president's stated goals in Afghanistan will require more forces.

The Americanization of the Afghan war is a key to victory, but victory in Afghanistan is a single campaign in the long war.

The delay in White House decision making is protracting and complicating the campaign in Afghanistan.