LONDON, Oct 11: Britain’s Financial Times newspaper has advised the US and Nato to review their present policies in Afghanistan and come to some kind of a peaceful settlement with the Taliban.

“It may be shocking that the military might of the West cannot defeat the Taliban, but it is true,” said the daily in an editorial: “The unwinnable war in Afghanistan”.

The FT advised the US and Nato to rein in their air forces, and direct their 70,000 troops to hold and expand secure territory while they help create a state: building up local strength and security capacity and spreading the rule of law. Institution-building, along with jobs, schools and clinics, electricity and irrigation, roads and markets for farmers must be the priorities.