I think more troops alone won't solve anything down there.
We need to establish a decent (what ever that is) economy in Afghanistan otherwise every other gain will only be temporarily. As it is now corruption is the norm. There is nothing you can trust in in Afghanistan. The politicians are corrupt, the police are corrupt, the military are corrupt. As long as a lot of people take bribes (are in need of taking bribes) nothing will change.
Just a few days ago it was reported that thousands of formerly German pistols that were delivered to the Afghani police ended up in unknown hands and can be bought on basars now.
As long as things are going like that there will never be an Afghani police or military that can be taken seriously.
But that is not only the fault of the west alone. It's the Afghani's as well IMHO. They have been given the chance to build up the country again, but the personal profit thinking of some will ruin it for all. As long as policemen, soldiers, warlords and politicians take bribes to look the other way nothing will turn to the better.
That's why a solid economy is needed that can pay wages that make the security personnel independent from taking bribes.
I know that this is just wishful thinking that won't come true (were is that economy supposed to come from?) but as it is now I would say we have lost that conflict (or are at least not winning it).
Whenever the ISAF pulls out of Afghanistan the Taliban will be in charge again three weeks later.
