The seige of Kandahar, planned for the fall with the completion of the surge build-up sounds like a real clusterfuck. Based on my military experience and analysis, telegraphing a move such as this enables the enemy to lay in supplies, dig a system of tunnels and redoubts, establish lines of communications to the outside and generally make us all look like a horse’s ass before this whole thing is done. Commando operations are indicated here. Strike teams disrupting the enemys supply lines will slow down supply and re-supply and operations against possible areas of troop concentration designed to destroy fortifications, munitions, food supplies and so forth are needed if American and Afghan forces hope to gain a foothold within the city proper. Also, I don’t know what the brass is thinking about when it comes to kicking this thing off, but striking at the city center and working outward, a tactic long established in urban warfare, should not be considered for just that reason. The enemy will expect it. Better to bomb the entire city to rubble with no piece of debris larger than a Coke can before sending troops in. 
Retired General Shaw
