Most of the folks running DC may not much care that our middle class has disappeared along with our manufacturing base. But convince them that our declining manufacturing base might imperil their cherished military might, and they might finally wake up.

The latest National Intelligence Estimate on Afghanistan has inspired me to write a modern parable for the season.

Live feed via the White House: President Obama Speaks on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review

Here it is, to be laid out by the latest National Intelligence Estimates: no real partner in the corrupt central government, lagging development and security training, no buy-in from Pakistan to root out safe havens, fading support from the public, and a country still under Taliban control, for the most part.

Other than that, great war we’re running.