https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/03/22/the-crucial-year/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usThu, 11 Jun 2026 15:30:42 -0400<![CDATA[Bill Roggio describes the beginning of a critical year in Afghanistan.  &#8220;Scores of Taliban fighters and several Afghan officials were killed in fighting throughout Afghanistan. The violence marks the opening of the spring fighting season in Afghanistan as the Coalition and the Taliban surge forces for what is expected to be the toughest year of fighting since the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.&#8221; Bing West, writing in the National Review (article by subscription) says Afghanistan is &#8220;the war that has to be won&#8221; but asks, &#8220;will our soldiers be given the chance to win it?&#8221; West writes:]]>Sun, 22 Mar 2009 07:16:04 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2009/03/22/the-crucial-year-n187559