[Carry_Okie]

This guy needs to read Baron von Clauswitz. He has no concept for the unintended consequences of pyrrhic victory, but then IMO, neither do you. I have no desire to kill a billion people, nor do I think it necessary, indeed, it is likely to be counterproductive.

I also think he misunderstands the ability of the government of Afghanistan to control bin Laden, because the situation is quite apparently the reverse; i.e., Bin Laden influences the Taleban more than they do him. Breeding hate can produce a fearful master.

[annalex]

I disagree with Peikoff on one thing: I believe that the moderate Muslims are our potential allies and therefore an effort should be made to distinguish between the militants and the passives. For example, I believe that the humanitarian food drops were a good idea.

I also think that after the hostilities stop, we will have to install some occupational force there and oversee a transition toward a peaceful and representative government in every country involved. Although the concrete details will be different, the West will have to re-learn how to be a colonial empire. All this was discussed at some length in the previous article: The Contours of Victory.