Unplugged: The Future of Afghanistan

The top U.S. general in Afghanisntan, Stanley McChrystal, called Thursday's election a "major data point," helping to determine how many more U.S. troops he may have to request in his post-assessment this Fall.

"Up until January, February we've never had a strategy in Afghanistan, we still don't have a full strategy, we have a series of goals…when we lay that out it will be expensive and long term…are we willing to invest in that and will the American people support it for the decade or so it will take to work," TX Hammes, a retired Marine Colonel now with National Defense University, told host Kimberly Dozeir on "Washington Unplugged."

The question remains what will Gen. McChrystal's request in his post-assessment report? Center For The New American Security's John Nagl, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel says, "I'm confident the report what the report will say that the number of Afghan security forces available does not meet demand. The key to success in any counterinsurgency campaign is protecting the population. The most expensive way to do that is with foreign troops. The smartest way to do it, the least expensive way to do it, and the only long-term solution is to create the Afghan police and the Afghan army of sufficient size and strength."

Watch Thursday's Washington Unplugged above. "Washington Unplugged" appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.

Read more from Kimberly Dozier: General Says More Troops in Afghanistan Means Less Risk