Green Beret hero Maj. Jim Gant is the author of a brilliant new strategy for how to succeed in the Afghan War now entering its ninth year, “One Tribe At A Time.”

Before making major decisions on whether to escalate the war by adding 20-40,000 more G.I.s to the fight, President Obama and his war council ought to read every word of the common sense arguments made by Gant (at left in eastern Afghanistan disguised as a Pashtun warrior).

Laid out in 50 pages of plain English that won’t give you a headache, Gant’s proposal hinges on the idea that it’s not important how many troops are deployed - it’s how you use them.

The Silver Star recipient's strategy shows the kind of street smarts desperately needed in the White House brainstorming sessions.

Gant's advice? Field American “tribal engagement teams” to live with - and fight alongside - Pashtun tribesmen, who dominate southern and eastern Afghanistan and have little faith in, or loyalty to, the government in Kabul. Their centuries-old tribal code of honor, justice and revenge, called Pashtunwali, is the only system