Posted on 09/15/2001 12:33:09 AM PDT by kattracks
Edited on 07/12/2004 3:47:00 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
PESHAWAR, Pakistan --As Maulawi Gul Rahman prepared for lunchtime prayers yesterday, he donned his ragged scholar's robe, stroked his tangled beard and pondered the question of what the effect of American military retaliation against Osama bin Laden would be.
"Muslims around the world, from north, south, east and west, would wage war against the United States," said the maulawi, a senior priest, who considers himself a moderate by the region's standards. "It would be holy war, our duty."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Does anyone think that terrorists will be just sitting around in "terrorist barracks" while loads of Green Berets tip toe up on them?
Anyone recall how badly heliborne ops can go? Mogadishu? Desert One? Can you imagine sending companies of specops troops all over Afganistan chasing rumors of terrorist camps, only to fly into stinger missile ambushes from the mountain tops? So quickly these missions would turn into rescue missions of our downed choppers.
The folks calling for ground combat in Afganistan sound EXACTLY like the "Airmobile" gurus saying in 1964 that we would whip the pitiful scrawny little Viet Cong in a few months.
Jungle then, mountains now, our techno tricks don't work so well away from the flat open deserts and fields
That is why the U.S. will probably not "invade" Afganistan but will most likely make some quick and decisive in and out raids on specific targets within it's borders. The Afgan is very capable of defending it's territory, but it is not a highly mobile force. They would have a difficult time reacting to quick precision strikes with any effective force.
You are right Afghanistan will be a very hard nut to crack, if America does send in ground troops they will lose a lot of men.
Although sending in troops feels the right way, punish those who protect the scum who carried out this terrible act, give them a taste of cold steel, I don’t think it is the right way.
In this case I think economic muscle will work more, cut Afghanistan of from the world completely, withdraw all aid agencies, all charity all UN aid everything, any country bordering Afghanistan, if they break the embargo include them, all aid to Pakistan, many of these governments survive only because the feeding, educating and health of there people is done my outside agencies.
It is not dashing or glorious and it will not satisfy the need to strike back, but it will encourage the people them self’s to strike back at the corrupt governments who lead them.
My thoughts out with your country
God Bless America.
Tony
BTW, we all cried when we saw the Coldstream Guards march out to the Star Spangled Banner. That meant a LOT.
If it helps to wear down and waste their ultimate long term enemy, (the USA), don't be shocked if the Chinese "CIA" supplies the muzh this time.
Covertly, of course.
Just cut them off totally from the world and let them figure out how to run their tenth century society in a tenth century economy.
We have had many differences as shown on this site but when push comes to shove we will stand beside you.
I was in Spain when this happened, there were people from all over Europe on holiday the reaction was the same shock, horror and sadness and a determination to stand by and identify with America.
We laugh at the French but this French family we new adopted a young American couple who could not get home.
What ever happens, just remember many of us ordinary people are with you and your country what ever happens.
Tony
Yep ala the debacle of the "Iranian hostage rescue disaster". I put my faith in Bush's reliance on his military advisors as to what the military should do. When the politicians play "military strategy" the end result is failure in EVRY case. All of us wannbe commandos can have a lot of fun playing “what if” but, thankfully, GW is NOT relying on us. Thanks for your service.
That's why we should just nuke 'em off the map now, and be done with it. If other Arabs complain, we can nuke them as well.
It was politicians and their pitiful "limited war" which doomed the Vietnam effort. NOT logistics.
Turn hell-and-a-half loose on the Afghan terrorists. There is no love lost between them and 90% of the US population.
And planes aren't the only ready-made mobile bombs available.
This country is like a smorgasbord.
You are so cheerful and optimistic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.