Front Line Views on Iraq/Afghanistan War Situation

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."

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."

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?"

After incessant badgering by you, no doubt. Congratulations.

Yes it was all me. You got me. Matter of fact, his opinion was offered without even a request. Of course I realize you won't believe that. Anything that cracks that thin eggshell of RNC talking points you call a belief system must by default be wrong.

perpetually spewed by you, attempting to mock the efforts of our troops and undermine their morale

Who's mocking? This is from one of the people that served over there for more than a year. How is that mocking? What? Should I have just told him I didn't want to hear his opinion and how it changed? Stuck my fingers in my ears and hummed loudly so I didn't hear how his opinion had changed since he had gone over there?

At what point will you start believing what appears to be a growing number of these brave people that are coming back? The day after a Democrat is elected President?

think the way the war has become politicized by some on both sides is disgusting

The politicization of the war by liberals is the only one I know. They appear to simply gripe in hindsight and actually do nothing to help. Nothing. Yet they do impede with their griping and outright opposition. That is the shameful part IMHO.

This is a war we did not ask for, with a very tricky enemy that is very real, very evil, and fighting it requires patience (yes, we will make mistakes), and outlasting them......which is why I think the Dems are traitorous in their strategy to use the war to regain their power. Their objections and criticisms are neither constructive or helpful to our efforts.

In that regard, I do not see individual soldiers who have pet gripes in the same camp. There can be loyal opposition, and much help can come from constructive criticism. That being said, I think the war has been run very well so far, and is generally being succesful. "The war" to me (nor to the administration I believe) is not just Afghanistan, Iraq, or even against Bin Ladin, it is against this radical Islam that is straight from the pit of Hell, and thought they are not winning at this point, they still can if we let them.

At what point will you start believing what appears to be a growing number of these brave people that are coming back?

My son just returned from a one year tour of duty in Baghdad. I communicated with him a lot there and now. His take is very different from yours. He says most of the troops are behind the mission, see what they are doing as important, see the progress, and are proud to have accomplished so much.

There is a concerted effort on the part of the Dems to recruit the minority and make it into a propaganda piece for their cause. This is the reason you are hearing that viewpoint in my opinion, and it is simply not the common viewpoint of the common soldier.

How isolated and how primative the living conditions are. The Afghan people have been living a horror story for the last 50 years. It's been one war right after another, one tyrant after another. Our guys are showing them kindness and compassion for the first times in their lives.

We will never be able to bring the entire country forward, but there will be a few and they can begin the work that will eventually help.

Did you watch 60 Minutes last night? The children completely surrounding one of our guys chanting his name.

The libs are always saying "for the children" but when it really IS for the children, they turn their backs. These young ones are the future of that country. While their parents struggle to understand and apply democracy, these kids will understand it completely. They do now, young as they are.

"If you don't have a dog in this fight." This is something I intend to research today. If my son is wrong, I will let him know. Meanwhile, here is his reaction after reading the thread:

"The real vets understand where I am coming from. The outsiders are all up in arms about how I am a left wing pland reading from the talking points. Typical. Instead of debating the validity of the argument they attack the messenger.

The funniest were the people challenging my bona fides. I suppose I am just one of those poor dumb white trash grunts who are too stupid to understand what is 'really' going on. LOL. The American people are horribly misinformed about the war. Unfortunately, the truth is classified.

All the same, there is not a mission end state. Perhaps the Keyboard Kommandos would first like to define the doctrinal term "Mission End State." Then they could tell me what it is for this operation. Because, I still don't know what we are trying to do here [in Afghanistan] or how we are supposed to achieve said unknown objective."

I missed it. You are correct libs don't want to even see photos of our troops with children. Someone complained about a photo of my son in Afghanistan surrounded by children. The town office refused to remove the picture. Bless them.

Miserable kids being harassed by US troops

Here are some further thoughts from my soldier in Afghanistan. Personal note, his father was Scottish (tight with money).

"A lot of these 'conservatives' are NeoCons. A major tenant of conservatism is fiscal responsibility. This war is a black hole for resources. There is little in the way of responsibility or accountability. We are throwing money at this problem. The same way money is thrown at every other problem. Most conservatives hate how we waste money on govt programs yet this govt program gets a pass. And again, we don't have a clear objective. What are we spending this money on? Why? Will expenditure X yield result Y? No one can answer this. This is to say nothing of the waste that is inherent to all govt programs in general and the military in particular. Yet, none of this seems obvious to the 'conservatives' who support this war.

Now this is not to say that I don't support this war or the concept of war in general. Some people need to be killed. My problem is that I really don't know what I am supposed to be supporting. I have no idea what we are trying to accomplish here.

We are trying to accomplish democracy there.

Its pretty simple and the success is quite evident.

There have been three democratic elections in the past year in Iraq. There was increasing public participation in each election. The first election had more than 8 million voters-- higher voter participation than in the US. Those voters faced the threat of death and were not armed like our soldiers.

In the same year that Europeans failed to pass a Constitution, the Coalition guided parliamentary construction of a Constitution and an election which passed it. Would I be wrong in suggesting that Iraq and its coalition partners are more successful than their European counterparts?

At what point do naysayers such as yourself have a burden to show evidence that the mission is failing? If this is failure around the world, I would like to see a lot more of it.

There are democratic revolutions spreading around the globe in places as diverse as Ukraine, Georgia, and Lebannon. These things affecting the lives of millions of people are the result of American soldiers putting their lives on the line for this good cause.

Your son is way too defensive.

You see, here's the problem. It's not what he said and its not his explanations of what's going on. The problem is the thread itself. You didn't say this was your son. You didn't say who it was at all. You didn't provide any background info at all. We didn't know who was being interviewed. We didn't know who was interviewing, either. No link to any story was provided. We didn't know who this was or what was going on.

Therefore, we automatically had to be suspicious and approach this with a grain of salt.

Your son is also attacking people he doesn't even know, calling them "outsiders" and saying they "just don't understand." Does he think you're the only person in the entire country with a serving family member? How would he know whether or not people here have loved ones serving?

I think that part of his frustration is that they were supposed to go to Iraq and instead were sent to Afghanistan where they are sitting around not doing much of anything. Of course, this may change when winter is over. They don't do much fighting in winter in Afg.

As to the outsider remark I think he was differentiating from the basically understanding comments he was getting from people who seemed to have military background, and the complaints without addressing the issues that he got from others. Personally, I am very upset that Afg. is supplying one half of the world's heroin supply. I wonder if anything meaningful will be done about that?

I didn't start out by saying this was my son as I did not want to influence the discussion one way or the other. I have made enough comments at other military threads, that people who follow them were probably aware of that.

I strongly support and appreciate anyone who serves in our nation's military.

I believe the best thing I can do during this time of war is provide clear rationales as to why this service is successful.

I certainly do not know any details at the level of someone in the field. Nonetheless, I do see the broader picture of how personal testimony will be exploited by commentators to increase the risks for mission failure.

I wish you and your family the best.

I agree. I'm concerned that the war on terrorism is something the US may not have the staying power necessary to hand tough. Bush will continue to keep the pressure on the terrorists, but who's next as POUS? In Viet Nam, we had JFK and he was not about to support the troops. He wanted the US to fight the war and not hurt the enemy.

Politics cost us Viet Nam; politics got us into Iraq. GWB did not create Iraq, he inherited it from his predecessor.

Semper Fi

I posted this earlier, I'm not too sure what the definition of trool is, but something about my screen name seems to really bother some people.

Your reply is no where near as confrontational as the other poster, so maybe you'll be easier to reason with at this time.

Can you send me a PM where we can discuss this off-line? I'd really like to better understand why Ex- creates such an emotional reaction.

Thanks. Semper Fi

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