Afghanistan - Viet-Nam

Every time that the U.S. enters into any combat operations, the question is always asked, "Is this another Viet-Nam?" No two conflicts are alike therefore making it truly difficult to concretely say with any real certainty. What I like to look at when playing arm-chair General is how we conduct the war combined with the popular support of the American public. These two things are never the same and are the delicate tight-rope that is routinely crossed by politicians and senior military. Acquiescing to the tight-rope at all is part of the problem in and of itself.

With regard to Afghanistan, there are two major flaws that I see. I believe these tactical errors could cause us to lose in Afghanistan. I don't believe that we'll actually "lose" however we will prematurely leave and allow the country to fall right back into the hands of the insurgents just as we did in Somalia.

First we must realize that we will NEVER win the hearts and minds of the local populace. They don't agree with us, they are a completely different culture and will never see eye-to-eye with us. I believe that the great majority of them (as in Iraq) are happy that we are there because of the horrific oppression and brutality of the respective regimes. Their being happy that we are there to oust the insurgents or regime(s) does not win their hearts and minds. Spending any amount of time in the middle east and reading just a small bit of history will show that these cultures deal largely in fear. Fear of the leadership, fear of Allah, and even fear of ones own family. Power is gained by fear and brutal domination. Understanding that, let's take a brief look at how we handled Iraq and then how we are handling Afghanistan.

In Iraq, you can see a distinct shift between the first few months of the Iraq war and the last few years. This was because in the beginning it was an actual war and we were fighting against a clearly defined military. The country was siezed in a relatively short period of time. Once that was done there was a dramatic shift in the manner with which we dealt with the populace. Our intent was to convince them to side with us in ousting the insurgents.

Let's just stop and think about the logic from the Iraqi peoples' perspective. They have a choice to make. The insurgents will torture, rape, pillage, and murder them if they do not comply in hiding personnel and weapons. The Americans will not. Even if they do support America's toppling of the former regime and working to establish a democracy, they must think of the immediate. They must think of the immediate safety of their families and of their own lives. Our philosophy is all wrong.

Counterinsurgency is a fancy word for police action. We are not fighting a war as history would define. We are creating a temporary police state where we can attempt maintain control as the newly formed local military is built to a point where it can actually defend and maintain a government. If this is what we wish to do then we must be willing to stay for many years. The simple answer is that the American populace does not have the intestinal fortitude for this. This approach is failed from its conception.

If we are to win in Iraq and/or Afghanistan then we must treat it as a war and fight it like a war. The plain and simple truth is that war is horrific. Once we (as a Nation) have decided that there is no other alternative and we must commit lives then we must have the courage to fight with all of our might. We must do this to save the lives of ours as well as the enemy's men and women. Prolonged efforts only equate to more death and prolonged suffering by both parties involved. The only humane thing to do is to win quickly and decisively. Only when the United States fights so ferociously that the enemy cannot bear to resist further or no longer exists have we won the war.

It should never be our intention or aim to hurt non-combatants however we should have little concern over collateral damage resulting in the loss of civilian life. I know that seems too harsh for most but it is a simple fact that too many military leaders and politicians have the courage to actually say. Once the non-combatants realize that simply having and insurgent near them puts there live in jeopardy, you will see the tides turn rapidly. This would apply to Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and even Pakistan. We must face facts, our enemy will stop at nothing, no matter how brutal or inhumane to kill Americans. We will only win when they no longer exist or do not have the will to fight and it can be done.

Understanding that we will not fight a war like a war, understanding that we will not win the hearts and minds of the local populace, and knowing that the American people will not tolerate a prolonged police action in Afghanistan I predict that we will not win.

America will simply redefine our objectives, claim success, and leave the region. The Taliban and Al Queda will then march right back in and regain control. You will not see much of this because it will not be in the left wing media's interest to show you that news. Watch carefully and you will see it.

If you wish to truly support your troops you can do two things. First, write your Senators, Congressmen, and the President demanding they remove all rules of engagement and allow our men and women to fight with all of their means to win the war(s) quickly. Second, write to and boycott any news agency that produces reports/stories that in any way shines a less than patriotic light on our men and women fighting for our country.

We should make it politically incorrect to utter even one word against what our men and women in uniform are doing. If you disagree with the war itself, let your representatives know. However, do not ever allow the media to demonize our troops while glorifying or running pity stories about our enemy.