SPC Private RallyPoint Member 1138438 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I want to make it abundantly clear that this is my own opinion, based on my own analysis, and research over the past decade.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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&#39;s, and amass a highly decentralized army.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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&#39;m sorry but a simple right seat, left seat RIP isn&#39;t going to allow you to gain trust overnight, so we start back from scratch over and over again, cycle to cycle.<br /><br />Please I would like some feedback if possible, thank you... 2015-11-29T12:47:59-05:00 SPC Private RallyPoint Member 1138438

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I want to make it abundantly clear that this is my own opinion, based on my own analysis, and research over the past decade.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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&#39;s, and amass a highly decentralized army.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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&#39;m sorry but a simple right seat, left seat RIP isn&#39;t going to allow you to gain trust overnight, so we start back from scratch over and over again, cycle to cycle.<br /><br />Please I would like some feedback if possible, thank you...

2015-11-29T12:47:59-05:00 2015-11-29T12:47:59-05:00 Capt Seid Waddell 1138454

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="333215" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/333215-91d-power-generation-equipment-repairer-338th-en-368th-en">SPC Private RallyPoint Member</a> our failure is due to lack of determination and will to win. And you have laid out the case very well, IMHO.

2015-11-29T13:00:19-05:00 2015-11-29T13:00:19-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 1138464

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Politics and Plitical Correctness.

2015-11-29T13:11:45-05:00 2015-11-29T13:11:45-05:00 MAJ Ken Landgren 1138465

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You did very well with your thoughts. I would like to point out in counterinsurgency we must take the fight to them to diminish their power. When we leave after a war, it is incumbent for the host country to have a strong military, passionate people, and a government for the people.

2015-11-29T13:13:51-05:00 2015-11-29T13:13:51-05:00 Cpl Private RallyPoint Member 1138643

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Because, we bind ourselves to rules that the terrorists do not adhere to. The terrorists do follow the Hague or Geneva conventions and they laugh in our general direction for following the rules. There is only one thing they understand, strength, and they will use our own rules against us, because they look at our rules as weakness.

2015-11-29T15:48:38-05:00 2015-11-29T15:48:38-05:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 1138744

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Same thing with Vietnam; we won nearly every battle but lost the war. I beleive huge quantities of military might isn&#39;t the answer against terror or insurgency. Its very expensive, and I believe ineffective. Can&#39;t claim to be the expert and know the answers, but massive boots on the grounds isn&#39;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&#39;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!

2015-11-29T16:49:08-05:00 2015-11-29T16:49:08-05:00 SPC George Rudenko 1139531

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>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

2015-11-30T04:38:26-05:00 2015-11-30T04:38:26-05:00 SCPO Private RallyPoint Member 1140122

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We haven&#39;t failed because this war is not over and it will not be over for a very long time.

2015-11-30T12:06:13-05:00 2015-11-30T12:06:13-05:00 SSG Robert Edwards 1142031

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You cannot defeat a country unless you annihilate the entire population, so it is roughly the same with terrorism. You cannot defeat it, unless you treat it like it treats you. We cannot win as the average terrorist does not wear the standard uniform identified by company, battalion, etc. We are trying to fight a gentleman's war as a gentleman would, but the terrorist fights with the belief that if they die, then they go to heaven with 40 virgins.

2015-12-01T06:34:09-05:00 2015-12-01T06:34:09-05:00 SSgt Robert Jorgensen 1142857

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Because to win a war you can not accept a surrender! You need the backing to go all the way and remove any threat.

2015-12-01T13:03:13-05:00 2015-12-01T13:03:13-05:00 Cpl Phil Hsueh 1143157

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I agree with you 100% and I feel that we&#39;ve been approaching this in entirely the wrong way. It really shouldn&#39;t be the troops in the field that are responsible for engaging the local populace and trying to fix things and improve their lot, that should be the job of the State Dept. working in conjunction with the military. The military would be there to provide security, manpower, 7 logistical support while the State Dept. would be in charge of getting funds, managing projects, and all other things aimed at making people&#39;s lives better.

2015-12-01T15:11:07-05:00 2015-12-01T15:11:07-05:00 1SG Harold Piet 1143459

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We have failed in our war against terrorism for the same reason we failed in Somalia, Vietnam, and Korea. If you want to win a war, you bring in your Admirals and Generals and layout the results you want. You request the cost to achieve those results. then you either ok the mission and stand back and wait on the results or cancel the mission. Just the same as you would the mechanic fixing your car. You do not tell him how to do his job or what restrictions he must operate under. Then when we win the war we use the resources of that country to pay for the war and we either keep that country as out possession or place it in control of one of our allies, not leave it in shambles for the thugs to take over. If we assist a country to battle their enemy, let them pay the cost of our service and we dictate the terms based on our commanders recommendations not some coat and tie in DC that has no military training or experience. Politicians do not know how to fight a war. All they know is how to get elected and what results they want to achieve.

2015-12-01T17:59:23-05:00 2015-12-01T17:59:23-05:00 SPC Byron Skinner 1143811

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sp4 Byron Skinner. Specialists you just stepped into a big pile of officer do-do. The reason is we as a country don't want to fight an insurgency conflict, your officers prefer a big bold conflict with frontal assaults and fire and maneuver and lots of medals These since the early 19th. Century are called Napoleonic Wars. Every rotation through Ft. Irwin you rehearse this legacy form of combat. The reason is this is the war the officers want. Insurgencies as I found out 49 years ago as a Sp4, your rank is they are messy you are killing people at a meter instead of a 100 or a 1,000 meters, and a lot of men die. I had two months of combat as an 11B before losing my left eye and a head wound the combat ion of both made me unfit for duty. I was personally engaged in two combat actions that rated the Presidential Unit Citation (the blue ribbon). In fact tomorrow (Dec. 2) will be the 49th. Anniversary of my last battle and losing my left eye. When you come out of a fire fight and there is as much blood from the enemy on your uniform as there is yours, it takes all the fun out of war. Since the current Generals are lacking in any meaningful combat experience, I really doubt if this will change Specialists. The O5's and O6's who have the experience will become frustrated, and take retirement at 20 years, the current system into a flag rank in my opinion favor only the staff officer ass kissers who get "mentored" pulled up in rank by a General officer. The real officers are managers at Wal-Mart.

2015-12-01T21:04:29-05:00 2015-12-01T21:04:29-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 1144288

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>del

2015-12-02T02:50:16-05:00 2015-12-02T02:50:16-05:00 PO1 Kerry French 1146857

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Qur’an forbids them from trusting you. Sura 5:51 and 3:28 and more. The Hadiths tell them to smile to your face and hate you in their hearts. I believe we are not “winning” because the politically correct atmosphere that the military is required to operate in, with the stupid, goofy ROEs, violates the first rule of war: KNOW THE ENEMY! The fact that you called it an “extremist ideology” demonstrates to me that you do not understand that this is not “extreme”. It is a fundamental, orthodox interpretation of Islam as Mohammad practiced it. There is no room for dissent in their world and leaving incurs a death penalty under Shari’ah. Terror is a tactic and I agree with the members below that are saying that we simply don’t have the stomach (as a nation) to fight this in the way we need to. My advice would be this: <br />1) Stop worrying about being so PC that you cannot equip your people to deal with this ideology. Stop trying to defend this ideology and read it for what it is. Wrap your head around the fact that this ideology hijacks people, not the other way around.<br />2) Make the war doctrine of the enemy required reading such as the Qur’an, hadiths, Sira, Reliance of the Traveller (sic) and Milestones by Sayeed Qutb. Study John Guandolo’s “Understanding the Threat” website (which has Milestones on it and other documents of the Ikwhan). <br />3) Create an absolute fear in the enemy that if they fight us and die, the will NOT go to paradise. This is where we don’t have the stomach. We should be using silver bullet gun oil with pig fat in it and also use female soldiers and pilots to kill them. Look what the Kurdish women are doing! Dying with a desecrated body will prevent them from going to paradise. And spread that news throughout the land! We have to be BRUTAL to beat this enemy. We need to have an absolute brutal psyops program. 4) Study the battle of Tours, Lepanto, Gates of Vienna and people like Charles Martel, Vlad the Impaler and every other society that have driven the Muslim hordes out of their lands. <br />4) And lastly, stop dreaming about the day we can bring Jeffersonian Democracy and republics to Islamic counties. Democracy is HARAM! Not allowed. Prohibited. When we nation build in countries that practice Shari’ah law and set up their constitutions with Shari’ah, we are seriously crazy if we think that they can have the freedom and secular government that we have. Shari’ah condones beating wives (Sura 4:34) molesting little boys, marrying little girls, lying to the kuffar, killing the kuffar and apostates, jihad, supremacy, honor killings, female genital mutilation, slavery, etc, etc. Remember democracy voted in Hamas – a terrorist organization. They are not loyal to their country as we are but to the ummah. And yes, cut off their money. That is a huge part.

2015-12-03T06:38:22-05:00 2015-12-03T06:38:22-05:00 LCDR Thomas Doherty (USNR-R Ret) 1147075

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's hard to list all of the mistakes.<br /><br />1. Both over- and under- reacting to 9/11. 9/11 was a well-planned but simply prevented operation (airplane cockpit doors reinforced and closed). Instead of implementing simple countermeasures, paying appropriate respect to the dead, and then moving on to capture or kill those reponsible, the whole country and government freaked out. Quiet operations to get those guys would have paid off better than mass invasions.<br /><br />2. Not identifying Saudi Arabia as a source of the problem. Not only does SA funds the most extremist preachers, their direct involvement in 9/11 is kept from the American people in the "28 pages."<br /><br />3. The invasion of Iraq was the biggest victory for Bin Laden, because the spectacle of a western force invading Arab Muslim lands on dubious grounds was a great recruiter for Al Qaeda. Add to that the non-existance of a plan or a clue. Yes, I was there.<br /><br />4. Not keeping true to American values. Torturing people and killing a lot of innocent civilians will come back to bite you. Acting like you're an 11th century Christian Crusader also does not make friends.<br /><br />5. Corruption. There were so many hogs at the trough, so many "friends" that had to be taken care of (see Saudi Arabia, Israel, KBR) and so many lies that needed to be told that the government and military does not know which way is up. Hey, it's only a couple trillion dollars pissed into the sand.<br /><br />Maybe we should try something different: leave them alone, don't bomb them, don't change their governments at our whim, stay home, build roads and bridges here instead of Ramadi.

2015-12-03T08:34:09-05:00 2015-12-03T08:34:09-05:00 MSgt Jeff Greene 1147948

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A war on terrorism is actually the same as a war for independence. We continue to fight using the rules of war while they fight however they want (see the revolutionary war). We should leave them to their own and make it clear that the next terrorist attack on U.S. personnel will result in our bombers making sure their countries revert back to the 4th century where they prefer to live. It won't take long before Iran, Iraq, Syria and the rest of the middle east will be annexed by NATO. I'm a retired USAF senior NCO and I AM DAMN TIRED OF SEEING OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN DYING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITHOUT THOSE COUNTRIES ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING FOR THEMSELVES. If those citizens won't fight for themselves why should we?

2015-12-03T13:31:42-05:00 2015-12-03T13:31:42-05:00 TSgt Mario Guajardo 1149418

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The circumstances leading to the insurgency are a good deal more complicated than that but you make a very good point.

2015-12-03T22:39:28-05:00 2015-12-03T22:39:28-05:00 MAJ Scott Meehan 1157236

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Because we fail to recognize who the enemy is.

2015-12-07T12:45:05-05:00 2015-12-07T12:45:05-05:00 SSG Edward Tilton 3214812

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Counter Terrorism is a Police Function and Police have been so Militarized they can no longer perform that function

2017-12-31T19:55:14-05:00 2017-12-31T19:55:14-05:00 2015-11-29T12:47:59-05:00