host: ambassador ronald neuman. you initial reflections in the afghanistan country right now. >> the insurgency is worse but it's not hugely popular but it's scaring people. the president's use of the 18 months which i think does not actually mean very much has also confused afghans somewhat. however, there are a lot of pluses as well. and i think one shouldn't be despairing but understand we're paying a considerable price for years of under re-sourcing with finances with money an" military. and you don't correct those things quickly. i think the american people need a much greater understanding of the time lags involved so that we don't falsely judge policies as failures before they begin to work. host: there's a piece today. this is coming from the "wall street journal" looking at what's happening in afghanistan that says sar sooi international rates hit civilians. ten civilians including 8 school children were killed in an attack. president karzai said monday there's contention over who was actually killed. >> th

host: ambassador ronald neuman.understanding of the time lags involved so that we don't falsely judge policies as failures before they begin to work. host: there's a piece today. this is coming from the "wall street journal" looking at what's happening in afghanistan that says sar sooi international rates hit civilians. ten civilians including 8 school children were killed in an attack. president karzai said monday there's contention over who was actually killed. >> this is a continuing problem. if you kill civilians you make more enemies but the taliban work very hard to position themselves that way. i know that general mcchrystal has made extraordinary efforts to kind of avoid this type of thing happening butyl ban and other groups in the insurgency are good about claiming civilian casualties any time anything happens. unrestrained by truth they're quick. host: we want to take advantage of your expertise and look at changes in policy and look forward. and to start that take a look at comments that then senator oba