The problem in my view is the Afghan government in place. The Afghan president MUST lead his own people; there is corruption in government. It is within the call of the president and his cabinet members to help out in putting order in their own country. This is actually what's actually irritating me!
The fighting forces are concentrated East. I can understand where Gates is coming from
I seem to remember that the Talebans main areas were the South West of the country. The noreth was Northern Alliance warlords, and the south east was indirectly under the control of ISI through local tribes. Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.