7 Years in Afghanistan, Is the Millitary Winning
Are Afghanistan, Pakistan & America Losing the War on Terror?
Jul 18, 2008
Since the start of the Afghan war in October 2001, not a single battle has been lost by the US or OEF forces. Unless changes are made, the war’s outcome is in jeopardy. Al Qaeda terrorists, Taliban insurgency and drug production have not only remained steady but in recent years grown in strength.
He Who Does Not Learn From History
April 30 1975, the last American Marines left the USA Embassy in Vietnam. Often called the Ten Thousand Day War, 25 years of American involvement in Indo-China was over with the Americans never having lost a major battle. In order to determine whether America is losing in Afghanistan the history of Vietnam gives us a good guide. Many historians accept the premise that America did lose the war in Vietnam. Today we can compare the lessons of Vietnam (whose outcome is known) and the results we see today in Afghanistan.
Military
- Vietnam’s History
Dr. Steve Gillon, professor of history at the University of Oklahoma calls the Vietnam War, “the working class war.” He continued “…people of means, people who had political connections…could get into the National Guard, could go to college, graduate school, became doctors and lawyers…all in an effort to avoid the war. So by the late 1960s, Americans were not only angry at the war but the methods used to fight the war and how unfair it was.”
Media reporter Hugh Downs said in a 1992 interview played on the History Channel: “…if we had belonged in [Vietnam] we should have been in it to win. We should not have asked our military to go over and fight but not win.”
- Afghanistan Today
In Michael Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 911, Moore is seen asking members of Congress whether their sons are involved in America’s wars. Larry Blumenfeld quotes Moore on October 5th 2004: “It is not easy to crash Capitol Hill to ask congressmen if they would like to send their sons to Iraq." Blumenfeld continues: “The…issues surrounding the war -- especially inequities in terms of who actually does the fighting -- are not new concerns.” Even today, with an all volunteer army, America’s wars are still “working class wars.”
As in Vietnam, today’s soldiers are not allowed to win in Afghanistan. Not only are they hindered by insufficient troop strength and diverse terrain but also severe restrictions imposed by neighboring Iran and Pakistan. The restrictions along the frontier boarder and tribal regions of Pakistan limit the troops; but worse they place soldiers in mortal danger. Insufficient numbers of troops, partisan politics (in both America and Pakistan) and an ineffectual Afghan government are having a devastatingly negative affect – the troops are not allowed to win!
Conclusions
The Holy Book on warfare is Sun Tzu’s On the Art of War. 13 chapters of rules were set down by the Chinese General. In order to determine whether America is truly losing in Afghanistan, Tzu’s book becomes an excellent guide. When examining the text the General told the world, 2000 years ago, what must be done to win a war. By corollary we see what will cause an army to loose.
- “When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's…ardor will be damped.” The Spirit of the soldier faded in both Vietnam and Afghanistan
- “In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.” The campaign is already nearing 7 years without any foreseeable ability to shorten it and become victorious in Afghanistan.
- “It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, surround him....” This statement by Sun Tzu’s has been interpreted to mean “use overwhelming force and beat your enemy.” However, Tzu also says: “It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand….” A fundamental message – war is extremely brutal!
History appears to be repeating itself in Afghanistan. Unless corrections are made immediately the outcome has already been written. "Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations...[before] the battle is fought....It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose." Sun Tzu.
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