The conflict with Islamism does not neatly compartmentalize into military and nonmilitary phases.

President Reagan confronted Communism militarily, economically, and ideologically. In contrast, his successors have seemed ill-suited to the nonmilitary dimensions of the struggle with the new adversary. Meanwhile, the importance of these nonmilitary dimensions has increased, in part because, for better or worse, we currently are unwilling to annihilate or subjugate our enemies.

You, Professor Hanson, function as close to our equivalent of Churchill, circa 1940. Your relative lost on Okinawa would be proud and probably is!

…and his Greek surname (i.e. rock).

The answer is, I believe, a combination of factors. First, let us look at Dr. Hansons correct supposition that there is a strong military man in our midst that is not being heard. This man will lead and further more will tell us we will win and set about that task. Here we have the forest and the tree syndrome. If the tree falls but no one is around does it make a sound? If the General, Colonel, or whatever rank is saying those magic words and no one will listen, is he saying those things? According to the civilian leadership, no. It appears as though our political class is unwilling to make the call and take the responsibility for success or failure for any and all operations. In other words, they don’t want to have to face the voters. In times past strong men of the PClass would put their reputations on the line for things they believed. If it was unpopular among the folks, they would sell it to them. They would lead the people, not follow the whims and whispers of the day-to-day polls or man on the street interviews. Is that man out there today? If that man dose rise to the top, will his environment allow him the chance to lead? Will his political opponents take him down even at the expense of the nation? All signs point to a dearth of leadership, a nasty environment, and a forest teeming with hacks and flacks waiting to knee-cap any political advesary. Is this doom and gloom on my part? Yes, but with 5 years of recent history to back me up. I believe that leader is out there, I just don’t believe we are ready to be led yet..

We have had no sacrifices asked of us, those not fighting and those with no family fighting. And what seems to be our response to the war in Iraq? It appears a majority just want it to go away. Why? Perhaps they are uncomfortable with some of the images they see on a nightly basis. Maybe it is the constant drum-beat of failure and despair fed them by the media. And some probably just don’t want to think about it because it may ruin their play-off mood..their team is in the super bowl hunt. Little has been asked of us and yet we seem maybe unwilling to even give nothing. Supporting the troops and their mission is not a lot to ask. Saying a prayer for the men and women in uniform and their families is not a lot to ask. Demanding that our PClass do what is necessary to win big and with overwhelming force is not a lot to ask. Or is it? One shudders to think what may happen if asked to do more. One pauses with concern if asked to sacrifice a hobby, a leisure activity, or anything for that matter. Will this nation do what is required to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors? I hope the last five years is the exception and not the rule……..

Haven’t we moved the goal posts. I can name a few real defeats, Pearl Harbor or Kasarine Pass, this is not one.

We have done well. 7,000 Al Qaeda dead in Iraq. Sadam hanged. Zaqawi gone.

Our problem is that the news media, wants us to fit into the Vietnam failure theme park ride again. This was their great victory over the “Man” from their youth, and they want to make it happen again.

The economy is booming in Iraq, the same as I saw in Afghanistan, traffic jams and house construction sites everywhere, Oil production is up. These people have been held down so long that given a glimpse of a better future and they move forward. The ink- stained fingers showed the real intentions of the people in both countries.
If it is all so bad, where are the refugees?

It takes time to train up a national army free of the Baath or reflood the marshes. We are being spun into defeat. By our media, by the UN, by the French. We should ask why they are so eager for our defeat.
We should ask, what have they done to help.

We have at least learned who our real friends are and seen India move in a very positive direction. Actual violence has decreased world wide even though the WMD threat has increased with the agressive push from Iran.

The seeming collapse of political will in this country has a lot to do with the Democrats lust for power and their ability to spin our perceptions. They fear that they will be out in the cold politically if we succeed in Iraq.

9/11 was a real defeat, and these people are setting us up to have it happen again.

Our real problems are closer to home than the streets of Bagdad.

“why did the armies of Sherman and Grant who crushed nearly half-a-million Confederate soldiers in a little over a year from summer 1864 to spring 1865, not secure Reconstruction in 12 miserable years of failure, in the face of a few thousands Klansmen, and assorted night riders?”-VDH

And why did’nt the victorious British armies of 1918 secure County Cork during the Irish War of Indepenence. Almost fifteen thousand British soldiers and police could’nt defeat five hundred IRA men.

What about the French in Indochina and Algeria.

Israel in Lebanon. They forced out the PLO and created Hezbollah.

The Russians in Chechnya (I’m sure alot of “final solution” con’s would love to “ape” the Russian tactics in Chechnya.)

As far as the military being worn down. Our military is the best in the world because of technology and training. We don’t dump nintey day wonders into battle. Less troops deployed means less training time. The elements in Iraq have been hard on our equipment,vehicles and airsupport.

Please, so you don’t slip into parody Mr. Hanson (Where oh where is Captain America……) figure out the difference between conventional warfare and insurgency warfare.

It’s the least you could do.

Really it is.

The AEI-Kagan plan for Victory is missing this — but at least the President is focussing more on “winning”.

Unfortunately, the “nation building” war cannot be won in Iraq by the USA — it must be won by Iraqis. The US forces should be fighting for specific local leaders who are dedicated to a democratic Iraq.

Go Long – Go Native – Go Local.
We Americans cannot win, but we can help choose the local Iraqis who can win. There is far too much analysis on the US, and too little analysis of different Iraqi leaders, especially mayors and tribal leaders.

I second the stryer NCO’s comments on Lt Gen Mattis as a superb choice.Unfortunately because of the emphasis on Air Force and Navy assets by the Rummy team and the long neglect and distain for all the Military concern with the Clinton administration, it is going to be extremely difficult to find another “uncle billy” Sherman, George S. Patton or “Chesty” Puller in the present inventory.