Digging In for the Long Haul

The prospect of war in the hills and valleys of Afghanistan is chilling. Throughout its history, the country has shown an impressive abilitysometimes heroic, sometimes dastardlyto make life miserable for those who cross its borders in anger. Will America be the next great power to be mauled there? Could the struggle against terrorism become a protracted and bloody mess like Vietnam, leaving a sour residue of defeat and bitterness?

True, victory can't be assured (nor easily defined). But to predict another Vietnam for America and its allies is unduly pessimistic. The war against terrorism might be more pertinently...