THE FIGHT FOR FARAH: A Taliban attack this week against the capital of Afghanistan’s western Farah Province can be read a couple of ways. It could be seen as a sign of the Taliban’s continued power, demonstrating that even after more than 16 years of war, they can strike at will even at a city ringed with security checkpoints, inflicting casualties and terrorizing the locals.

Or it could be seen as a sign that Afghan security forces have actually turned a corner, and were able, albeit with considerable help from U.S. and NATO, to largely repel the attack with their own troops and aircraft.