Well, we could try getting the entire country's economy onto something other than, say, opium poppies & the heroin trade. But that would require the cooperation of a functioning government, which Afghanistan ain't got...

If we had some ham we could make a ham and cheese sandwich if we had some cheese.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many positive signs that more troops are coming to relieve them, as Karen DeYoung reports again this morning.

The Marines have asked that their entire effort be centered in Afghanistan, and Iraq left to the Army:

Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq

By THOM SHANKER [NYT]
Published: October 11, 2007

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 — The Marine Corps is pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and to send marines instead to Afghanistan, to take over the leading role in combat there, according to senior military and Pentagon officials.

I can't find anything on the status of the request. Anybody know?

I wish that more could be accomplished but I really don't see how under the circumstances.