by blogbits on Jul.06, 2009, under Random Rants
Mother May I: ROE Change in Afghanistan
According to an article filed by the Associate Press (AP), the rules of engagement (ROE) have changed for U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan.
The new ROE calls for limited airstrikes in defense of troops on the ground whose lives are at risk, i.e., forget about taking out al Qaeda or Taliban leaders riding in vehicles or hiding among the civilian populace.
U.S. forces may only enter an Afghani residence when accompanied with Afghan forces, so forget about hot pursuit when a sniper or Taliban combatant runs into a residence to hide or take hostages.
The last rule pertains to firing upon mosques or other religious sites, which is already U.S. policy; however, in the past if U.S. forces were taking fire from such a structure they were cleared to engage combatants taking care to do as little damage as possible, i.e., if they don’t give a damn about their religion, why should we?
Looks like the current senior leadership, both civilian and military, failed to learn the lesson of Vietnam, e.g., no bombing of Hanoi, no going into Cambodia after enemy combatants and a whole host of other limitations and restriction that virtually guaranteed the U.S. would never win that conflict.
In related news, former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara died. Many called Vietnam “McNamara’s war.” In his memoirs, McNamara said he lost faith in the war in 1967, yet the conflict went on for another eight years.
Another example of why civilians should not be in charge of fighting wars and generals with political aspirations should likewise step aside. Either they are military leaders focused on accomplishing the mission while taking care of their soldiers or they are political martingales intending on a political career.
“During my three years in Vietnam, I certainly heard plenty of last words by dying American foot soldiers. Not one of them, however, had illusions that he had somehow accomplished something worthwhile in the process of making the Supreme Sacrifice.”
— Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007)
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July 6th, 2009 on 2:13 pm
Exactly what rules must the Taliban follow as concerns civilians. Oh, that’s right they aren’t concerned with civilian casualties. They are doing God’s work so anything they do can be justified in the name of their religion.
July 6th, 2009 on 2:25 pm
“At least two-thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity: idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of religious or political ideas.”
— Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)
July 6th, 2009 on 3:20 pm
“McNamara said he lost faith in the war in 1967, yet the conflict went on for another eight years.” Convenient foresight that he thought the war was pointless inwardly, while all the military heads were predicting victory in months.Sounds just a little before Tet. I would have paid good money to see Westmorelands’ face as the reports started coming in. Giap made him look like an idiot. RIP Mac
July 6th, 2009 on 3:49 pm
Whatever our reasoning is for being there, the afgani people did not ask us to be there, and see us as just the first step toward the obliteration of the the way of life they’ve known, good or bad, for a very long time. I repeat, we are there for our purposes, not theirs. Once again we will become the righteous occupiers. Afghanistan will make Iraq look like a picnic. God help america.
July 6th, 2009 on 4:33 pm
There were a whole host of lessons from the American War in Vietnam, none of which made any impression whatsoever on the American War Machine. And why should they? There’s was plenty of money made by American war industries in Vietnam and plenty of money still being made in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Too bad about your children, Mr. Afghani; and yours too, Mrs. American; but it was for a good cause. Just look at all the money we made!
July 6th, 2009 on 5:17 pm
I guess you don’t care about 9/11. The whole reason we are in Afganistan is because of Bin Laden. I agree, if he is not there then we should not be there, but until Bin Laden turns himself in, we need to keep looking for him.
July 6th, 2009 on 6:15 pm
Well said Lefty. Even Ike, that old warhorse warned of the ever increasing coziness between industry and the military. Sometimes you hit the nail Leftfield, right on the head. (Gimme somethin’ I can argue with you about!) Stay vigilant.