Afghan women attend a training program to learn how to voteThe ballots haven't all yet been counted in Afghanistan's election, but the interim reports"”of intimidation, low turnout, continued violence, and widespread fraud"”bode poorly for the country and our war there.

The strategic goal of a counterinsurgency war is to build support for the central government. Our forces provide security to the people. As a result, the regime can supply basic services. As a result, the insurgents lose their base of popular support.

But if the people regard the central government as illegitimate, then a counterinsurgency campaign has little to go on, no matter how brilliant the commanders or clever their strategy.

Not to overdraw the parallels, but the basic...