"Pentagon Spec Ops Chief Sees "10 to 20" More ..." Topic

…Years of War Against al-Qaida.

"The war in Afghanistan may be winding down. But the Pentagon's chief of irregular warfare still sees a war against al-Qaida that will last decades, all over the world a prospect that prompted astonishment and constitutional debate in the Senate.

Asked at a Senate hearing today how long the war on terrorism will last, Michael Sheehan, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, answered, "At least 10 to 20 years."…"
Full article here
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Amicalement
Armand

Seems if we left Afghanistan then the direct war against AQ would pretty much be over.

And that, my friends, is what you call "job security." (Or should that be "a self-fulfilling prophecy"?)

What ever….

I imagine it may be a lot more than that, e.g. perhaps a century.

Actually Uesugi, I suspect if we aren't taking the war to them, they'll be bringing it to us again.

He's crazy. Al Qaida isn't a "force" or an army. It's a philosophy, a movement, a concept. If we were to wipe it out today, tomorrow it would rise up somewhere else. It can be weakened as we have seen, but it cannot be beaten in the sense that he is implying. Al Qaida will go away only when all its enemies have gone away.

I suspect the war will go on as long as you have a western culture expressing itself on a global scale (economically, culturally, or militarily) and a sect of fundamentalist Islam that sees violence as the solution to the perceived threat that Western culture is to them.

I would say 10-20 years is a pipe dream, personally. For every jihadi you kill, it seems like there are a half dozen willing to take their place. That will continue until there are either no young Islamic men taking up arms (ie they have something better to do, like work, etc, which would require a restructuring of the Middle East to the point where they have jobs and a prosperous life to look forward to--something that seems impossible, even to an optimist. Or it would require the loss of influence of the West to the point were they no longer perceive us as a threat, and they decide to quit killing us. Something also seeming unlikely).

We may not be in Afghanistan forever, or even much longer, but I cannot see the war against al-Quida ending anytime soon. And radicalization is becoming easier and easier for them too…which will only spread the problem.

Initial consideration in going in and staying rather then just cleaning out the Rats nest I heard at one SOCOM briefing was 15 years IF everything went well. We all know about how five years were lost as we got side tracked in Iraq. Now they are saying 10 to 20 more. Not surprised one bit. USASOC just stood up Spec Ops African Command. The boys will be busy for a long time while the conventional forces are downsized.

VR
James Mattes

If you want to be utterly pessimistic, the United States has been at war with this ideology since 1803. The only real reason we've had any lulls has more to do with their occasional inability to reach us than any real cessation of hostilities.

I don't see our side maintaining the sustained effort to beat them militarily. We'll have to do it culturally, which is also a trick given the oikophobia of our own population.

And that, my friends, is what you call "job security."

Sounds like some good budgeting tactics.

Well because of James' military background and experience … I'd go with his comments … and of course I agree with him … As far as job security … budgeting tactics … I don't think so … Al Quada and their types, still want to damage and kill those that don't believe as they do. As far as it being a concept, philosophy, movement, so was Communism, Nazism, the Japanese version of Imperialism, to mention a few … and they are pretty much part of history. As Al Quada and the like will be … And blaming the West for Islamic Fundamentalism may have a kernel of truth, but based on what Toshach said, for AQ and their ilk to go away all the "Infadels" must be converted or dead …

Not just AQ that thinks that way, a fundamental tenant of Islam is .

Seems to me communism is alive and well, in many parts of the world.

Yep, pzivh43 has it right. Just look at the news from Egypt today, and in the last few days, not to mention the regions' tolerance (or lack thereof) of different religions.

Yes Comrade, Communism, but not Soviet/USSR AFV, FA and Infantry en mass, hub-to-hub, shoulder-to-shoulder style Communism … And yes, AQ and it's ilk, wanna-be, islamic fundamentalists are still around … Alive, but maybe not well … or as well as they'd like …

Not just AQ that thinks that way, a fundamental tenant of Islam is that .

First, it's "tenet," not "tenant."

Second, you're wrong. Fundamentalist jihadists are not representative of all of Islam.

Look, I've worked with Muslims on a daily basis for more than a decade, and not one has ever tried to convert me (let alone !) nor even offered me the Islamic equivalent of a Chick tract. The same cannot be said of members of other mainstream religions in my workplace.

AQ thrives where Muslims live in poverty; it will fade when prosperity comes to those regions.

There clearly is a difference between fundamental islamic jihadists and your average moslem … However, the jihadists get all the press ..

'Underwear Bomber' – son of one of the wealthiest men in Africa, studied engineering in London at City University.

Osama bin Laden – son of billionaire construction magnate.

Not exactly bottom of the economic ladder.

The main fight against AQ is in Syria, and the SAA are doing the fighting.

The funding for AQ comes from the dictatorships in the gulf region, like Qatar, Saudi and Bahrain.

And the funding for PIRA came largely from the USA. That manifestly does not mean that the US Government or people supported the PIRA, just a few individuals.

Drones and spec ops will be used to fight a more covert war on AQ and its affiliates, which is why you have this, and similar developments.

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And a target for a 70,000 strong SOCOM, even as other regular units are being seriously trimmed. The aim also is to increase the frequency of indigenous troops fighting, or 'kicking in doors' as was seen in the recent fighting in Mali.

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Which means lots of potential scenarios for modern/near-future gamers.

Isnt it funny that nobody has mentioned those fun loving,jovial chaps known as Boko Haroun?

apparently the "truth" shall not set you free? eh Mike?

10 to 20 years? It's been going for over 1000 years. Why will it be over in 10 to 20? As long as they do not have their caliphate, they will continue.

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