I have been researching the two most costly battles in Afghanistan, the most recent at Kadesh and the previous one at Wanat.  Both American outposts were located at the base of the mountains rather than on top.  This link will take you to a detailed topographical Google map: Topo Map of Wanat, AfghanistanAnother image showing the elevations surrounding the base here  Not sure who was responsible for the locations of these two bases,  but you can bet your ass a general would never admit responsibility and they will probably charge the battalion commander who would have little control over the general location of base, but should at the least control the strategic location.  As was the case in Vietnam, there are many incompetent officers, generals on down.  Some come from desk jobs at the Pentagon with the purpose of getting their ticket punched with a combat command.  The most capable officers in the military don't have the political skill necessary to make it past full bird Colonel and have too much pride to wear knee pads.  Considering that the two attacks were about a year apart and had many of the same problems, I would tend to hold General McChrystal responsible for not properly advising those in his command about the dangers of locating a base in a valley.  Then again, there is his commander, good old CENTCOM Commander, David Petraeus. In the case of both Kadesh and Wanat, civilians had been killed by accident and inflamed the locals.  In my humble opinion,  we can not succeed in Afghanistan because of a failure in military leadership, a very deadly prognosis for the boots on the ground.