We are using the wrong strategy in our Afghanistan battle. United States armed forces along with international armed forces and Afghan security forces and police are now reported by the Associated Press to outnumber Taliban rebels by 12-1. There are currently about 104,000 international troops in Afghanistan, including about 68,000 Americans. Americans are dying at an alarming rate thanks to IEDs. Our fight ought to be with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups that threaten the United States. They are the group that was responsible for 9-11.
The American army is made up of volunteers. As a consequence most American families are not affected by the injuries and loss of life. The military-industrial complex couldn’t be happier because the war is making money for military manufacturers and the commanders have a cause that is difficult to dispute.
My contention is that the United States needs an alternate strategy that uses an undercover, quick deployment methodology that will deter attacks on the United States and its allies. We cannot bring Jeffersonian democracy to people who have no conception of our way of life. Many of the people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are living in a 12th century world. Our occupation of Iraq proves that we cannot contain terrorists. Our final success in that country remains in doubt as proven by the latest bombings in Baghdad that have killed 153 people.
Like the continued manufacture of C-17 aircraft, the industrial complex that manufactures war materiel will lobby Congress to support the McChrystal request for more forces. I fear that Obama does not have the backbone to say “no” to those who love war.
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