|
OoE Reply
Colonel,
Thanks for the superb read. Sadly, it didn't help my disposition.
The ECONOMIST did it's usual outstanding job. However, sir, I didn't read anything that gave me great encouragement. I'm certain that in both Iraq and Afghanistan our governments are racing to effect as much positive change as possible before being forced by voters to leave.
"Colonel Schweitzer says what he needs is not more troops but more “non-uniformed instruments of power: diplomatic, information and economic”, especially agronomists and water engineers."
That's what Colonel Schweitzer says, and he reads impressively. I say we need more brigades commanded by guys like him asking for the same.
Colonel, the graft/corruption/drugs/crime is the crushing weight. The taliban/al Qaeda aren't sh!t without these enablers. Here's the real corrosive aspect-from an afghan cop on the take to farmers growing opium, to senior ministers doing God-knows-what.
We haven't transferred good values of ethics and governance. They're not "western" but common sense to the greater good. Our enemies know this and it explains the symbiotic connection between crime (particularly drugs) and COIN. It's easily the enemy's greatest force multiplier.
__________________
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
|