Really funny! But probably the only way. If US does not show the door to its NATO partners in Afghanistan, they themselves cannot find the way out of the paperbag! The "new" NATO that Bill Clinton announced in 1999, was to be the uber-NATO, going out of its Pact-defined area of operations, and on the world-wide adventures! Well, times have changed since Bill. NATO indeed does not serve the interests of polical elites in Germany. France is the different matter, however. Germany and Russia have an absolutely complimentary economy, and the Eurasian Bridge that is Russia, is by far more important economically to Germany then the Atlantic Bridge. The continental bridge accross Russia to China, India, Japan, Korea, and other fast developing Asian economies, is by far of higher interest to Germany. Because of this enormous potential, it is in the highest interests of all of these countries that there are safe rules of the game, and that the region is conflict free. That suits Germany, Russia and China to perfection. What is amusing is this notion that NATO was brought in to fight. Have a look at the initial assignments and agreements. Germany was expected to be in nation-building role, as US has taken on the task of subduing Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Having done that within 3 weeks from arrival, US then redefined the purpose of presence in Afghanistan, and went on into COUNTERINSURGENCY. Since the insurgents are the population fighting the occupation, that tossed everyone into the mess. Germany, if it ever needed a proof of how it has been fooled, has one now. Some nation-building. If it does not get out now, it will be fighting the grandchildren of today's insurgents. So, Brzezinski believes that US should hold the highest perch in Afghanistan, for geopolitcal reasons. In the era of nukes, that is so pointless, but then, why not let them spend themselves into oblivion!