Afstan/Pakistan: Not easy

Four relevant articles:

U.S. Notes Limited Progress in Afghan War
Strategic Goals Unmet, White House Concludes

In Afghanistan, [US Army's] Hunt for Arms and Militants Can Be a Slog

[UK] Armed Forces face 'failure' in Afghanistan

Pivotal test of Pakistan's will against extremists
Growing violence in the northwest, where insurgents have set up an Islamist ministate, could presage a push by militants in tribal borderlands, experts say.

On other hand, the UN peacekeeping force in the Congo was authorized in 1999 and doesn't look like leaving in the foreseeable future.

Update: Here's hoping:

Pakistani troops have begun a major ground offensive against pro-Taleban militants in a former tourist resort in the North West Frontier province.

Military officials say more than 200 militants have been killed in the past week, but there is no independent confirmation of those figures.

A curfew has been imposed in the area around the Swat Valley, about 160km (100 miles) from Islamabad.

Thousands of civilians are reported to have fled from the fighting.

Food supplies cut

This is the first time that Pakistani ground troops have been in action against militants in the Swat Valley...

The fighting in Swat is highly significant because it is the first major pro-Taleban threat in Pakistan in what is known as a settled area...