New data suggests the Afghan surge has been a military failure. What role will it then play in the upcoming elections? Shihab Rattansi speaks to Lieutenant colonel Tony Shaffer, Frances Bown & Gareth Porter. Related Posts:Armed & Bailed: US 'Blackwater' mercs pay crimes with finesAnthony Schaffer: NATO Complicit in Afghan Opium TradeGareth Porter: Speaking Truth to Power: A Permanent State of War'Israel drops Iran-attack hints to US'