Posted on Nov 29, 2015
Why have we failed in the war against terrorism?
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I want to make it abundantly clear that this is my own opinion, based on my own analysis, and research over the past decade.
Asymmetrical warfare is very complicated, with many levels of underlying motivations that fuel an insurgency. This insurgency that we have been at war with for more than a decade has one main motivation, which is an religious extremist ideology.
Now the reason that I say we are currently losing the war on terrorism is simple, because we have failed to achieve a strategic victory since the inception of this war, while our enemy has in fact been able to achieve theirs by spreading their extremist ideology to levels far exceeding their own expectations.
We have acknowledged these small tactical victories over core Al Qaeda as being a success, when in fact we have done nothing but allow the enemy to regroup, establish territory, obtain vast financial revenue, stockpile weapons, refine TTP's, and amass a highly decentralized army.
We still hold on to the idea that we can defeat Islamic fundamentalism through shear military might, when deep down we know that killing will not allow us to obtain the strategic victory we yearn so dearly for!
Our military has given up on a sound strategy, that when implemented the right way will allow us to win this fight for good. The COIN strategy works folks, we have just been going about it all wrong. Let me explain why.
Look at the combat deployment cycle, typically 9-12 months. Now imagine how difficult it is for field commanders to establish trust with the local populace, in most cases takes months if not years! So once a field commander establishes trust with locals that can make a difference, and marginally stop the spread of extremism in their respected areas, their deployment is over, hit the reset button, and a whole new set of field commanders arrive in theater. I'm sorry but a simple right seat, left seat RIP isn't going to allow you to gain trust overnight, so we start back from scratch over and over again, cycle to cycle.
Please I would like some feedback if possible, thank you...
Asymmetrical warfare is very complicated, with many levels of underlying motivations that fuel an insurgency. This insurgency that we have been at war with for more than a decade has one main motivation, which is an religious extremist ideology.
Now the reason that I say we are currently losing the war on terrorism is simple, because we have failed to achieve a strategic victory since the inception of this war, while our enemy has in fact been able to achieve theirs by spreading their extremist ideology to levels far exceeding their own expectations.
We have acknowledged these small tactical victories over core Al Qaeda as being a success, when in fact we have done nothing but allow the enemy to regroup, establish territory, obtain vast financial revenue, stockpile weapons, refine TTP's, and amass a highly decentralized army.
We still hold on to the idea that we can defeat Islamic fundamentalism through shear military might, when deep down we know that killing will not allow us to obtain the strategic victory we yearn so dearly for!
Our military has given up on a sound strategy, that when implemented the right way will allow us to win this fight for good. The COIN strategy works folks, we have just been going about it all wrong. Let me explain why.
Look at the combat deployment cycle, typically 9-12 months. Now imagine how difficult it is for field commanders to establish trust with the local populace, in most cases takes months if not years! So once a field commander establishes trust with locals that can make a difference, and marginally stop the spread of extremism in their respected areas, their deployment is over, hit the reset button, and a whole new set of field commanders arrive in theater. I'm sorry but a simple right seat, left seat RIP isn't going to allow you to gain trust overnight, so we start back from scratch over and over again, cycle to cycle.
Please I would like some feedback if possible, thank you...
Military Intelligence
War on Terror
Terrorism
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 19
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SPC (Join to see) our failure is due to lack of determination and will to win. And you have laid out the case very well, IMHO.
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We haven't failed. USA is still here. But, it isnt a war against terrorism, it's a fight. A war is directed to a distinct foe. Terror will always exist, but the faces will change, hence tis a fight
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
All true. The enemy is also difficult to define and identify. From terrorism afar and at home, there are many faces and no uniforms.
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SSG (Join to see)
During periods of massive social change, terrorism almost always rears it's ugly head... from the KKK in the South to Daesh in Syria. There is no stopping or even slowing of social change likely in the future as droughts, food shortages and the creation of refugees by the millions continues to take place in a region where religious extremism seems like the only way to take back some control over ones life. Add to that continued advances in technology which render many unskilled and low skilled laborers obsolete and it should be clear that this isn't going to end anytime soon.
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Same thing with Vietnam; we won nearly every battle but lost the war. I beleive huge quantities of military might isn't the answer against terror or insurgency. Its very expensive, and I believe ineffective. Can't claim to be the expert and know the answers, but massive boots on the grounds isn't the answer. Nor does simple diplomacy work either because there is no central authority to negotiate with. Deterrence is also ineffective; there is nothing to deter; they don't care if they blow themselves up they will go to martyrs heaven. The answers, I believe also go beyond just military. I believe, the military effort would involve primarily PSYOP, SPECOPS and intelligence and surgical air and ground strikes; however; there needs to be economic warfare too. Cut off their money. How to use these assets in the right way, however, involves a comprehensive national strategy. Obviously updated as intelligence updates the situation, but not piecemeal disjointed actions, as I perceive is part of the problem. Just my personal dos centavos!
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