A new approach in A-stan?

Check out this very interesting pair of articles, which might signal a shift in the way the US is prosecuting its war in Afghanistan. First, a piece by Dexter Filkins in the NY Times about an entire tribe in A-stan that has declared war on the Taliban with US support: "Afghan Tribe, Vowing to Fight Taliban, to Get U.S. Aid in Return." Then check out this short piece in the FT about efforts at the Afghan donors' conference to encourage political reconcilliation: "Taliban soldiers to be offered trust fund." Personally, I'm for trying anything at this point, and these are both low cost options with potentially high rewards. However, it is clear that both are frought with difficulties and present an opportunity to game the U.S. and NATO allies. Furthermore, these new initiatives may amount to little more than a dog and pony show for the benefit of domestic politics in the US and Europe. I'll post anything more I see in this vein.