http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/ Grassroots action for a safer, more just world Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:37:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/#comment-1090 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:14:49 +0000 http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/#comment-1090 [...] of the battle. In reality, civilians always pay dearly for war. That is, as we’ve argued, one of the most fundamental strategic failings of war. As an interview with Radio Free Europe reveals, [...]

]]> http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/#comment-870 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:10:53 +0000 http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/#comment-870 [...] have written before about the problems, from both a moral and security perspective, of killing innocent civilians in [...]

]]> http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/#comment-14 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:13:15 +0000 http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/03/04/civilian-casualties-a-problem-more-troops-wont-solve/#comment-14 It is critical for all Americans to realize that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are just as unwinnable as were the wars in Korea and Viet Nam.
We could not win in Korea because North Korea was supported by China which had the H-bomb, as did Russia, The same applied to Viet Nam, in which North Viet Nam was supported by Russia.
In both these wars all that we could do was lose troops and treasure.
We could not win in Iraq because we had no business to be there in the first place. After the Gulf war, Saddam Hussein was held in check by fly-overs which were highly effective. Only the absurd arrogance of Bush, who wanted to show off to his daddy that he could go one better, and get rid of Saddam Hussein (politely called “Regime Change”), combined with systematic lying about WMD and just about everything else started and maintained that war.
We had “Victory after Victory after Victory”, each characterized by increased loss of life and staggering loss of National Resources. Iraq remained out of control and so remains. We are no nearer to ending this unwinnable war than when we started it. “Victory” !!!!!!!!
Hovering in the background, as we expended our forces and trillions of dollars, was Russia, which sat idly by and watched the carnage, ready to support Iraq, if there was any real success on the part of the USA, adding intensity to the unwinnable nature of this war which only evoked more and more enemies in the Arab world.
Afghanistan presented an even more unwinnable situation in which we again excelled in winning even more enemies. Bush failed to learn the sharp lesson taught to Russia, which was forced to leave empty handed after losing enormous numbers of troops and finances. Afghanistan remained in the hands of its people throughout the occupation by Russia which was able to only hold the major towns.
Now history repeats itself, as the USA holds only the major towns and a portion of the roads. The countryside remains in the hands of the Taliban – now stronger than ever. Yet another unwinnable situation in which we excelled in NOT winning the hearts and minds of the people.
We are about to embark on another bout of massive losses of our troops and billions, maybe trillions more dollars in another unwinnable war.
In the end, after disappearing into the mountains, the Taliban will return to take control, and we will have gained nothing.
The choice of the Secretary of Defence was a tragic error. We will be treated to more of the same at a very high price, with the ever recurring promises of “Victory”. Can we never learn that these escapades cannot be won by force of arms?
How think you?
Sincerely,
Ian Campbell Cree, MB(Hons.), MS, FRCS(Eng. & C.), FACS, LRCP.

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