How special ops address the war

Washington Times ^ | 3/26/06 | Joshua Sinai

[Valin]

The military's elite special operations community convened its annual meeting last week in Washington to discuss countering the terrorist threats facing America and its allies. Beginning with the working assumption that the United States faces a protracted, generations-long insurgency by loosely affiliated extremist Islamic groups led by al Qaeda, this community assessed how to proceed.

Time and again the message was: Be prepared for lethal acts of terrorism, always keeping in mind that the war has three fronts -- on the ground, in cyberspace and in ideology.

(snip)

A comprehensive, focused and determined counteraction is essential to defeat this diffuse yet sustained threat. If the war on terrorism fails, the implications will be severe. Countries led by moderate Arab governments (such as Egypt and Jordan) or those with sizable Muslim minorities (such as Indonesia or Western Europe) will face growing civil unrest.

Such unrest leads to increased surveillance by threatened governments and restrictions on civil liberties, which will play into the hands of extremists who seek to sow dissension, polarization and distrust of government in democratic societies.

[SevenMinusOne]

And the underlying premise throughout this whole conference and what the SOF community firmly believes is "taking the fight to our enemies".

Turning our shooters loose not only for DA Ops but just as much in terms of gathering their own Intel and not becoming so dependent on OGAs.

[Valin]

Ping

[Windsong]

Such unrest leads to increased surveillance by threatened governments and restrictions on civil liberties

So just how far will it go?

[Valin]

Ask the Egyptians, Saudis.....

[FairOpinion]

Special Ops -- the unsung heroes.

Most of the time we don't even find out about their great victories.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

on the ground, in cyberspace and in ideology...

I like our chances all around. On the ground (and impliedly in the air and on the sea) - superbly trained, equipped and motivated - we win big. In cyberspace, while they have some smarts in their corner, we win again. In ideology - except for those unfortunate enough to be born in their culture and who remain essentially illiterate with respect to the rest of the world (and its accomplishments, opportunities, standards of living, etc. etc. etc.) - I just cannot see that perspective wining over free, educated peoples. Will never happen. 3-0, game over.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

on the ground, in cyberspace and in ideology...

I like our chances all around. On the ground (and impliedly in the air and on the sea) - superbly trained, equipped and motivated - we win big. In cyberspace, while they have some smarts in their corner, we win again. In ideology - except for those unfortunate enough to be born in their culture and who remain essentially illiterate with respect to the rest of the world (and its accomplishments, opportunities, standards of living, etc. etc. etc.) - I just cannot see that perspective winning over free, educated peoples. Will never happen. 3-0, game over.