A MUST READ - Brilliant Perspective on our "New War"

Brilliant perspective on our "new war" from a retired AF Academy military history instructor...

I thought this was a pretty good rundown on the problems we are facing. Hope you think so, too. The guy who wrote this is a retired AF Lt Col and professor of history at the AF Academy.

Like everyone else in this great country, I am reeling from last week's attack on our sovereignty. But unlike some, I am not reeling from surprise. As a career soldier and a student and teacher of military history, I have a different perspective and I think you should hear it. This war will be won or lost by the American citizens, not diplomats, politicians or soldiers.

Let me briefly explain. In spite of what the media, and even our own government is telling us, this act was not committed by a group of mentally deranged fanatics. To dismiss them as such would be among the gravest of mistakes. This attack was committed by a ferocious, intelligent and dedicated adversary. Don't take this the wrong way. I don't admire these men and I deplore their tactics, but I respect their capabilities. The many parallels that have been made with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are apropos. Not only because it was a brilliant sneak attack against a complacent America, but also because we may well be pulling our new adversaries out of caves 30 years after we think this war is over, just like my father's generation had to do with the formidable Japanese in the years following WW II.

These men hate the United States with all of their being, and we must not underestimate the power of their moral commitment. Napoleon, perhaps the world's greatest combination of soldier and statesman, stated "the moral is to the physical as three is to one." Patton thought the Frenchman underestimated its importance and said moral conviction was five times more important in battle than physical strength. Our enemies are willing - better said anxious -- to give their lives for their cause. How committed are we America? And for how long?

In addition to demonstrating great moral conviction, the recent attack demonstrated a mastery of some of the basic fundamentals of warfare taught to most military officers worldwide, namely simplicity, security and surprise. When I first heard rumors that some of these men may have been trained at our own Air War College, it made perfect sense to me. This was not a random act of violence, and we can expect the same sort of military competence to be displayed in the battle to come. This war will escalate, with a good portion of it happening right here in the good ol' U.S. of A.

These men will not go easily into the night. They do not fear us. We must not fear them. In spite of our overwhelming conventional strength as the world's only "superpower" (a truly silly term), we are the underdog in this fight. As you listen to the carefully scripted rhetoric designed to prepare us for the march for war, please realize that America is not equipped or seriously trained for the battle ahead. To be certain, our soldiers are much better than the enemy, and we have some excellent "counter-terrorist" organizations, but they are mostly trained for hostage rescues, airfield seizures, or the occasional "body snatch," (which may come in handy). We will be fighting a war of annihilation, because if their early efforts are any indication, our enemy is ready and willing to die to the last man.

Eradicating the enemy will be costly and time consuming. They have already deployed their forces in as many as 20 countries, and are likely living the lives of everyday citizens. Simply put, our soldiers will be tasked with a search and destroy mission on multiple foreign landscapes, and the public must be patient and supportive until the strategy and tactics can be worked out. For the most part, our military is still in the process of redefining itself and presided over by men and women who grew up with - and were promoted because they excelled in - Cold War doctrine, strategy and tactics. This will not be linear warfare, there will be no clear "centers of gravity" to strike with high technology weapons. Our vast technological edge will certainly be helpful, but it will not be decisive. Perhaps the perfect metaphor for the coming battle was introduced by the terrorists themselves aboard the hijacked aircraft -- this will be a knife fight, and it will be won or lost by the ingenuity and will of citizens and soldiers, not by software or smart bombs. We must also be patient with our military leaders.

Unlike Americans who are eager to put this messy time behind us, our adversaries have time on their side, and they will use it. They plan to fight a battle of attrition, hoping to drag the battle out until the American public loses its will to fight. This might be difficult to believe in this euphoric time of flag waving and patriotism, but it is generally acknowledged that America lacks the stomach for a long fight. We need only look as far back as Vietnam, when North Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap (also a military history teacher) defeated the United States of America without ever winning a major tactical battle. American soldiers who marched to war cheered on by flag waving Americans in 1965 were reviled and spat upon less than three years later when they returned. Although we hope that Usama Bin Laden is no Giap, he is certain to understand and employ the concept. We can expect not only large doses of pain like the recent attacks, but also less audacious "sand in the ! gears" tactics, ranging from livestock infestations to attacks at water supplies and power distribution facilities. These attacks are designed to hit us in our "comfort zone" forcing the average American to "pay more and play less" and eventually eroding our resolve. But it can only work if we let it.

It is clear to me that the will of the American citizenry - you and I - is the center of gravity the enemy has targeted. It will be the fulcrum upon which victory or defeat will turn. He believes us to be soft, impatient, and self-centered. He may be right, but if so, we must change. The Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, (the most often quoted and least read military theorist in history), says that there is a "remarkable trinity of war" that is composed of the (1) will of the people, (2) the political leadership of the government, and (3) the chance and probability that plays out on the field of battle, in that order. Every American citizen was in the crosshairs of last Tuesday's attack, not just those that were unfortunate enough to be in the World Trade Center or Pentagon. The will of the American people will decide this war. If we are to win, it will be because we have what it takes to persevere through a few more hits, learn from our mistakes, improvise, and adapt. If we can do that, we will eventually prevail.

Everyone I've talked to in the past few days has shared a common frustration, saying in one form or another "I just wish I could do something!" You are already doing it. Just keep faith in America, and continue to support your President and military, and the outcome is certain. If we fail to do so, the outcome is equally certain.

This military instructor of history paints an eerie picture. Wow!!! We're in for a tough ride, folks!!! Let's stick together. I'm afraid he's right about this one - and the "enemy" is living amongst us.

This might be difficult to believe in this euphoric time of flag waving and patriotism, but it is generally acknowledged that America lacks the stomach for a long fight. We need only look as far back as Vietnam...

With all due respect, Colonel... History IS precisely what you should be looking to, but Vietnam is NOT the correct comparison. Look a little further back and you will find that the last time WE were attacked directly... the American "stomach" was not in doubt. Comparisons to wars that were not fought actually defending our nation (whether that is Vietnam, Korea or Iraq), are NOT valid historical comparisons.

What does this have to do with National ID card? I already have one here in Texas. Just look at my driver's license. They have my thumbprint and my license is a scanner.

If we don't win this war it won't matter whether we even have a Constitution. We have bigger priorities, preserving our country at any cost.

While I agree that Vietnam may not be an accurate comparison I would say that conflicts prior to that one are even more incomparable. The X factor is society. Look at how society has changed, in all it's facets, since WWI or WWII. Do you believe that American society has become stronger or weaker since the days of Vietnam? Are we more united or divided then the Vietnam era? The answers to these questions are self-evident. I'm afraid I hold out little confidence in the mass of our society. Liberalism and narcissism have infested to the core and that can only hurt us in the end. Forgive my pessimism but that's the way it seems to me.

I will agree that homeland attacks completely change the equation. Although, don't expect WTC to carry our society through the entire duration on it's own.

Very good reading. Our biggest morale breakers will be the liberal press and anti-American Hollywood bunch. But these groups are highly sensitive to mass criticism. We MUST be vocal in our opposition to them. For example, we should all take the time to answer questionaires and polls at every chance. The producers who handle these groups are highly attuned to changes in public thought and any other factors that affect profits. I have basically been a luker on Free Republic and in public affairs but now feel more is needed from each of us if we are to defeat these American-hating forces that attack from without and within.

Personally, I don't believe this has much to do with Israel. It has to do with Capitalism. They want to drive us back to the stone age. If there was no such country as Israel, we'd still be in this dastartly situation, thanks to A$$hole Klintoon not paying attention to the world while $$ has been bombed over and over again.

Liberalism and narcissism have infested to the core and that can only hurt us in the end.

Guess I forgot about the narcissism. The two together are a deadly combination. I am concerned but we also have a solution....flags.

Let's support our country with a show of flags and our positive spirit!!! Go to your capitol or other designated place where the leftist have their antiwar protests and counter protest them with our flags. Otherwise the media will only show the antiwar punks to the American public and that's not good for the morale of our country.

American resolve will be steadfast. In Vietnam, 50,000 soldiers were killed over 10 years. In NY 7,000 were killed in one day.

This time the casualty is political correctness instead of American willpower. Radical Islam has irrevocably stigmatized Muslims in this country and around the world.

BUMP

don't expect WTC to carry our society through the entire duration on it's own.

Unbelieveable that almost 7,000 deaths in one day on our soil with our airplanes cannot keep the attention of our citizens? We must be a nearsited bunch.

Howdy fellow Texas. I'm in Austin. Are you anywhere close?

In NY 7,000 were killed in one day.

Just read your mind - before I read your post.:-) If not, we'll have to get the press to roll out the video's again.

but now feel more is needed from each of us if we are to defeat these American-hating forces...

I'm glad we think this way. We must have a strong resolve. I'm hopeful that our President will come out occasionally, and give us pep rallies. What would you suggest we do? I'm helping to organize a group of flag wavers to protest the antiwar protesters here in Austin. If not, as you say, the media will show only the "wrong" side.

"Look a little further back and you will find that the last time WE were attacked directly... the American "stomach" was not in doubt. Comparisons to wars that were not fought actually defending our nation (whether that is Vietnam, Korea or Iraq), are NOT valid historical comparisons."

I've been saying exactly the same thing since the attacks on the 11th. Bump.

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