The US is set to announce details of the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan next week. Balancing the generals and growing antiwar sentiment isn’t easy.

The timing of Gen. Petraeus’s good news on Afghanistan is strangely convenient for Washington—and glosses over the reality of a likely civil war.

The US has long resisted talking to the Taliban. But as the July 2011 drawdown date approaches, it’s running out of options.

India may have a new friend in US commander for Afghanistan David Petraeus. At least so far.