Why We Can't Win the "War on Terror"

[unhappycamper]

Why We Can't Win the "War on Terror"
Tomdispatch.com / By Andrew Bacevich

October 10, 2010 | In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln’s charge to a newly-appointed commanding general was simplicity itself: “give us victories.” President Barack Obama’s tacit charge to his generals amounts to this: give us conditions permitting a dignified withdrawal. A pithy quote in Bob Woodward’s new book captures the essence of an emerging Obama Doctrine: “hand it off and get out.”

Getting into a war is generally a piece of cake. Getting out tends to be another matter altogether -- especially when the commander-in-chief and his commanders in the field disagree on the advisability of doing so.

Happy Anniversary, America. Nine years ago -- on October 7, 2001 -- a series of U.S. air strikes against targets across Afghanistan launched the opening campaign of what has since become the nation’s longest war. Three thousand two hundred and eighty five days later the fight to determine Afghanistan’s future continues. At least in part, “Operation Enduring Freedom” has lived up to its name: it has certainly proven to be enduring.

~snip~

Here is Brigadier General H. R. McMaster, one of the Army’s rising stars, summarizing the latest in advanced military thinking: “Simply fighting and winning a series of interconnected battles in a well developed campaign does not automatically deliver the achievement of war aims.” Winning as such is out. Persevering is in.

So an officer corps once intent above all on avoiding protracted wars now specializes in quagmires. Campaigns don’t really end. At best, they peter out.



unhappycamper comment: And until 218 people in the House of Representatives grow balls and turn off the money spigot, the United States will continue to piss away our Education funds, our infrastructure repair funds, our social programs and our blood and treasure in the sand box.

218 people with balls is all it takes. :(

[old mark]

1. Afghanistan has proven to be a trap for several invaders - we are just the latest, and

perhaps the most foolish. What "reasoning" there was by Bush's administration was poisoned by religious belief that they were fighting against the anti-christ and starting the great battle of the book of Revelation. There is no "win" to it...we will lose billions, lives and kill our own country to satisfy the egotistical madness of the Religious right and in the end for absolutely NO purpose or point.

The career military officers love it, though - guaranteed promotions for a lot of them!

mark

[ixion]

2. You can't declare 'war' on a concept and expect 'victory'

it will never happen, as the so-called 'war' on terror's ugly older brother, the so-called 'war' on (some) drugs has shown.

[maryf]

3. We can't win against a chimera

Of course "terrorists" exist, but "the War on Terror" is a very winning "war" for the ptb. Besides, it should be Against Terror not on...K&R