Posted on 03/12/2006 7:36:24 PM PST by gleeaikin
After spending 8 months in Gulf War I (Aug. 1990 to April 1991) with an elite unit, and now in Afghanistan this soldier has definite opinions on the Iraq/Afghanistan war, politicians and supporting our troops. The threat of civil war in Iraq and the outbreak of suicide bombing in Afghanistan heighten concerns here at home. Here is a front line assessment of implications for the future.
Question: Recent reports indicate that Iraq Sunnis are turning on Al Qaeda. If they are driven out of Iraq, what are the implications for action in Afghanistan?
Answer: "Most likely suicide bombers have made it into Afg. already. Watch for reports of arrests or actual bombings. In many cases it is getting harder and harder to be a suicide bomber in Afg. The communities, even in the cities, are too closely knit. Everybody knows everybody. Someone will identify the new people who don't belong there. The only place Al Qaeda has any credibility is in the countryside where there are no US troops.
"The US Army is the goose that lays golden eggs. We have plenty of money and we spend it. Halliburton is nickel and dime compared to money we waste on local contracts. However, it does buy us friends. The people who have spent some time around us know that we are a good meal ticket and we are not here to turn them into Christians, make their women prostitutes, or eat their children. We are generally decent people. We go to great lengths to respect their culture and not impost our ways on them. However, we are not to be messed with. We are the sleeping giant with great resolve.
I don't see this war ending any time soon. AQ is still out there and they still have supporters. It really doesn't matter what any of these politicians say--we are stuck here. The minute we leave things will start to fall apart.
The worst thing we can do to AQ is to show any potential supporters that US is the one that is going to butter their bread. There is no money in Jihad. These people want JOBS, a HOME and a nice FAMILY. AQ will not bring them peace and prosperity."
Q: In a recent interview after the bombing of the golden mosque, Daniel Pipes expressed concerns about the reactions of Turkey and Iran in the event of the breakup of Iraq. Do you think his pessimism is justified?
A: "I really think Turkey is more concerned about being part of the European Union. [Would not want to make EU mad by invading an Iraq Kurdistan.] They will simply have to live with a border problem that is much like our problem with Mexico.
The Shiites in Iran and Iraq are of different tribes. They have long standing tribal animosities. Yes, they can put this aside in the interest of business (there is a lot of trade along the border) but I don't see an alliance. Besides, they will have their own oil [the Shiites in an independent southern Iraq] and will be fairly independent. Remember, everybody wants their own fiefdom. And don't forget the old Iran-Iraq war was fought in their back yard. There is more tension than teamwork there."
Q: What thoughts do you have on the US political situation regarding the Iraq/Afghanistan warfare?
A: I am very much against my views being used to advance a political agenda. Right now the Dems are reaching out to disgruntled vets--not because they care about vets, but because it advances their own political ambitions. Both sides are to blame for the sorry state of affairs in this war. Both sides also use the military as a mere political tool for their own purposes. Wa have a saying, "there is no justice--just us." If you don't have a dog in this fight then you are just on the outside looking in. No politician has a dog in this fight. Honestly, of this is such a noble cause why don't the children of these politicians join the Army? Only we here and our people back home are sacrificing in this war. For anyone else, this war is just a story on the evening news."
Q: A few weeks ago 4 US military were killed near Kandahar. What are your thoughts on that?
A: "In the minds of many the war is over. We have 12 conditions we must meet before we are allowed to do anything useful. All missions must be approved by the Afg. government. We are no longer allowed to operate at will. These 4 guys died because of this. These guys should never have been alone out there like that. They should have been accompanied by a light infantry company. However, we would need a full light infantry division here full time to provide that sort of security to units all over the country. I am not sure the politicians or the American people are willing to pay for a Cold War sized Army. Nor does anyone seem to have the stomach to do what must be done. It seems like everyone seems to know how to run the war better than the people who do this for a living. We are restricted by State Dept. nicities and political correctness. As a result our people get killed. A lot of the guys who go outside the wire are engaged in little more than combat tourism. Remember, we really aren't allowed to do anything useful here."
Q: What do you see for the future of the war and the outlook of the American people?
A: "In Afghanistan I don't see this war ending any time soon. AQ is still out there and they still have supporters. It really doesn't matter what any of these politicians say--we are stuck here. The minute we leave things will start to fall apart.
I just don't think we (as a people) have the will to do what must be done. Armies kill people and break things, and that is not a reality that the American people are comfortable with. I really can't see Alexander or Patton fighting this war the way we are. The ground rules are being set by the State Dept. and we have to follow them.
The problem is that the strategic vision and the tactical reality on the ground do not mesh. We cannot fix what is wrong in this part of the world. The fact of the matter is that these people have more real freedom than we do. [I think he means in Afg.] For the most part anarchy is the norm--not chaos--just the absence of government. What holds these people down is in their own heads. They are slaves to their culture and customs. We cannot liberate these people from their own mind."
Q: What do you see as the future of the war?
A: The war has no clear goal and as such is, it cannot be won because we have yet to define the conditions for victory. The global war on terror is all things to all people. It is whatever people want it to be on any given day. We do not have a clearly defined goal. What are the conditions for victory? When is the war over? When can we go home? This is a forever war."
Q: What can we at home do to support the troops?
A: "How about everyone who "Supports the Troops" volunteer for a nice tax increase to pay for the war? How about a military pay raise? Aren't we worth it? How about some better equipment? How about giving every returning vet a good JOB?"
A lot of people aren't going to like this...but it is as good as gospel for most people in the US military...
The real question here is how many “soldiers,” or “veterans” or otherwise hawkish-appearing but leftist-sympathizing and traitorous individuals can the leftist media dig up, and will this ruse last long enough to scam any electoral wins for the democrats?
Depressing, but a very good read. Thanks for posting it.
These posts might help the confusion.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1595269/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1595200/posts
Hey, not everyone in the military shares the exact same view of this conflict. Trust me on this one.
But most of the military doesn't think what is posted in the article above is true, even if you do. Trust me on this one.
We are fighting an enemy who is in it until the last "infidel", that'd be you and me, is dead or converts to Islam.
Ah, I see. The public can't question it. Now even the people that have been over there and lived through it can't question it as well? I have a friend that went over there so gung-ho it was unbelievable. Since he's been back, he's questioned it. And this is from someone who I never would have believed would have doubts at any time.
I don't see where Washington (or the media) has help this war effort that much. They (the State Dept and the CIA) have pretty much mucked it up and left it to the military to try to clean it up. But They are not giving the military the support it needs except when they see it is politically advantageous to do so. Which is usually after a hugh outcry from the population.
The grunts can see all this, they aren't stupid.
True, it's different for each person. Like someone might agree with one comment, or part of a comment but not both. But some of the arguements brought up are legitimate..Sorry I did sound like I was generalizing for everyone...my mistake.
I agree with the reasons we went to war, I support the fight completely. I think the way the war has become politicized by some on both sides is disgusting. I also think the way it has been prosecuted could have been better but that is hindsight. Will we win? I believe we can if we are allowed to. I just don't like the attitude of some who call anyone in the military who has a gripe about something a lib or a traitor.
Do not think I am refering to you though.
When do you think the locals will be in a position to take care of themselves? What can we (US military)do to support them until then?
No politician has a dog in this fight. Honestly, of this is such a noble cause why don't the children of these politicians join the Army? Only we here and our people back home are sacrificing in this war. For anyone else, this war is just a story on the evening news." We have 12 conditions we must meet before we are allowed to do anything useful.
This is the the same as the Vietnam war. The politicians created the war, protected their friends and family and restricted our rules of engagement. In the end, they made the decision to withdraw. Sound familiar?.
"How about everyone who "Supports the Troops" volunteer for a nice tax increase to pay for the war? How about a military pay raise? Aren't we worth it? How about some better equipment? How about giving every returning vet a good JOB?"
Well said and I totally agree
Semper fi
Pretty well said. I'm as conservative as they come but have been sickened by politicians being so politically correct that can't seem to even name the enemy. I'm tired of wars between the Whitehouse and the CIA putting my family at risk due to whizzing contests over intelligence. I'm really ticked at a couple of Republican's who saw fit to use our troops as pawns in the ports game.
I wish the population would stand up and tell the politicians to knock it off!
We (and I mean you, me and the other parents and relatives) need to write our congress critters and the president. We need to point out to them where are children are serving or have served and what is needed from them. We have clout right now. They don't want any more Cindy Sheehans running around. So let's mobilize! :)
I'm a soldier, and I can tell you I'm a pretty hard up gung-ho as they come. I think Iraq is a mess, and will continue to be. Thats my opinion, chose to think what you want, but I feel Iraq is lost and has been lost for sometime. Our politicians and the CIA are 100% at fault.
When you treat a "war" like a peace keeping mission or police action and you constantly change the soldiers on the ground rules of engagement, and dont let them defend themselves against clear threats stemming from mosques and foreign fighters shooting and running back over the border with syria you have a clear problem. There is a reason why we haven't won a real "war" since ww2.
Doing my best on that front.
I don't see Iraq as lost. A mess certainly. But not lost. If it was lost, we would have seen civil war after the Golden Mosque bombing, or at the very least the necessity of the US forces to be used in mass to prevent one. Neither happened. No, Iraq is not lost. Their parlement will meet on the 16th (ahead of the 19th date) and they will pick a government, and they will move forward. Our troops will continue to train the Iraqi Police and Army and more and more FOBs will be transferred to the Iraqis. In a few months many of our forces will be out of Iraq.
No, Iraq is not lost, not by a long shot.
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