The Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke returned to the boxing ring on Friday at the age of 62, defeating a fighter less than half his age in an exhibition bout.
He was unimpressed, finding the heavier, more stable fighter less responsive to the controls than the Nieuports he was used to.
Hamas has already shown that its fighters, though less numerous, are better armed, trained and disciplined.
ISAF commanders say that the average life expectancy of these fighters is less than three weeks.
He exercises often and intensely, so he can keep up with soldiers, Marines and Afghan fighters often less than half his age.
One threat comes from success: in Iraq and Afghanistan, Western forces have been uncontested in the air, if not on the ground, so sophisticated fighters seem less relevant.
America and its allies could then train and arm moderate fighters with less fear that they will co-operate with jihadists.
Tim Witherspoon, a former world champion, could not resist the idea of taking on seven other fighters with less than stellar credentials for some quick cash.
The fact that foreign fighters are less likely to have operational support partially reflects the fact that, some three years on from bin Laden's assassination, al-Qaeda's central organisation has been significantly depleted.
