President Obama and the American people face momentous questions that must soon be answered regarding the war effort in Afghanistan. First, do we have a coherent strategy to achieve a clearly defined victory? Second, are we willing to commit to providing the realistic level of troop strength required to get there? Third, can we really assure the long-term viability of the central government in Kabul and its prospects for growing a legitimate national security force? Finally, is Obama committed to the effort for the long-term, despite the gathering anti-war movement among his fellow Democrats and from some on the Right? Recommendations from U.S. Commander Stanley McCrystal are in Obama’s hands now and the president is expected to make public his decisions later this month. If he is dedicated to winning what he calls “a war of necessity,” he must commit the necessary military resources to get the job done. The American people will not support a war of gradualism. Even if such resources are made available, it is likely that grave doubts will remain about the central Afghan government and its Army.