Is it possible to win a war on Terror?

Question

personal background, ex U.S Army infantry. two overseas tours iraq, korea. I find it interesting that America would declare war on terror. Is this even possible? First terrorism is only a form of combat. Declaring war on terror is similar to declaring war on airbourne drops its just a way of fighting. Second what if we are wrong? I know its hard to comprehend that we as Americans can be wrong. But what if having superior weapons doesn't give you the moral high ground. To understand this better I believe you have to put yourself in the shoes of the "enemy". What if you have been wronged by a great power how would you fight back? would you run out in the field only to be cut down by an abrams tank. Or would you fight anyway you could? Is it the only war they can fight or is it terror?

Answer 1

NOPE. i dont think we will ever be able to "win the war on terror" its stupid. the president is stupid!

Answer 2

I think it is very similar to the Cold War, something you can drag out to get your agenda implemented. I support the war in Iraq but I am afraid that the War on Terror is gonna get taken to far and likely be around for many years. I'm a big civil rights guy, I can;t stand when I see a politican on TV and say "we're in a war." I don't beleive there hasn't been some sort of conflict inthe last 40 years.

I understand what you are saying but I also realize that if my government was slaughtering my neighbors an using chemical weapons I would want another countries help. What I don't like is the inconsistant policy and the PR side of things.

Answer 3

Poignant and appropriate question. I happen to think that no, it's not possible to win a war against terror. FDR said "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." And he was correct. You can't destroy or kill fear, and the world cannot be made entirely safe.

And yes, people create new tactics to fight the "oppressor" or the military with the most personnel, weaponry, and training. Look at the American Revolutionary War, where guerrilla tactics were used against a maintained standard and uniformed army attempting to enforce order. Technically, picking off those redcoats marching by is like setting an IED for a Bradley tank.

The difference between the two is that in America, we like to think our forefathers were fighting against oppression, while we like to think the Iraqis are fighting against freedom. I'm sure the British thought that American tactics were terrorism, too. So really, "terrorism" is what the larger power calls the action of the smaller power.

Answer 4

I can't believe what I'm hearing. These people aren't terrorizing us because we've victimized them. They're doing it because we're not Muslim. It's true that big business has gone to the middle east and exploited them but I didn't do it and neither did you. Do you think those people who died on 9/11 did it? No, they didn't. These people are indiscriminate murderers, all in the name of Allah because we are infidels. If they're so pissed of for being exploited, why don't they go after those who exploited them. They could win that battle with money alone and not kill a sole. As far as our government policies, Those have been put in place because of the disruption not just to be there. What tune are you people going to be singing when these terrorists come after you. No, I don't think the war on terror can be won. Isn't it enough to do all we can to keep it at bay? Yes lives will be lost but at least they will be lost for a purpose not because we rolled over and played dead while these people destroy us. You military people. I'm ashamed to call you Americans. If you weren't patriotic enough to want to fight for the safety of this country, why did you join the military. That's what soldier do. You can say the war in Iraq is not protecting America but you're wrong. If it isn't then why are we constantly being attacked over there? Would you rather fight the war over here on our own soil. You are disgusting.

Answer 5

Im shocked and amazed to see this posted by an ex army infantry man. First, allow me to thank you for what you have done for our country. I, for one, appreciate it. Second, it is refreshing to know that some people are able to think after being brainwashed by this administration...

I beleive that you are absolutely correct - the war on terror will never be won. It is akin to declaring war on air drops, etc. If you think about it, we Americans actually came up with the idea of guerrilla warfare/terrorism during the revolutionary war - and we won that war because we didnt have a set of rules to be followed in a time of war, etc. We didnt face the British in open fields, exchanging volleys of bullets at each other - we hid in the trees and used sniper tactics to wipe out officers, we dressed in clothes that blended with the enviornment, rather than in a bright red uniform.
The "insurgents" in Iraq are doing the same thing...they are fighting a much stronger power with the only ways and means that they have - dress like civilians (Vietnam anyone?), hide and plant bombs, etc. This is the only avenue these people have against our military.
Now dont get me wrong - blowing up the World Trade Center was not necessary, nor was it an act of warfare by the people of Iraq. OUR Govt would have you beleive that al-Queda had a hand in the towers falling, and that this entire war is in response to that one action. But IT IS NOT. Does not one person in America find it odd that our Government can find a couple of crazy terrorists inside our own country, but cant find Osama bin Laden in a cave?!?!?

As for the two responses above mine, I wish to inform Leo... that Italy and other countries are pulling their troops out of the coalition - because they are sick and tired of Bush's rhetoric and this "war" that is going no where. To the guy directly above me, I say that destroying an ideology by destroying its believers is not the right way to handle this - or anything. Might I remind you that HITLER attempted to destroy Jewish ideology and life. Romans slaughtered thousands of CHRISTIANS - only because of what they beleived. HIstory is repleat with examples of war and death at the hands of someone atttempting to kill another's ideology. Rather than attempting to destroy an ideology, why not study it, learn from it, grow from it, and perhaps learn to adapt yourself to that ideology, so that we can all live together peacefully. Ya, I know - fat chance. But the reason its a fat chance is because so many people around the world think the same way you do....

Answer 6

Yes its possible. And if you truly are an ex Infantry person, you would know that this is not just an US issue and we are not the only ones in this war on terror. There is a coalition of people working all over the world to combat terror. So your sad attempt to raise doubt has failed.

Answer 7

No - for the same reason as you cannot win the war on drugs. You cannot win against an abstract or ambiguous enemy. You can only win if you have a defined enemy (in WWII you had the Germans, Italians and Japanese).

I hate to say this, but one person's terrorist is one person's patriot. George Washington, Thomas Adams, and Company were all terrorists in the eyes of the crown.

If someone invaded my country, I would fight back with my every living being in any manner I could.

Answer 8

No.

"Terror" is a tactic used by an enemy, not the enemy itself.

The tactic of terror is used by guerilla groups of what are called "Terrorists." But, it has been said that "one man's terrorist, is another man's freedom-fighter. At one time, the colonists in our war for independance could have been called terrorists.

All of this crap on the nightly news is just window dressing so that the people of the world can be manipulated one against the other for the designs of the elitists of the world that are bent on world domination.

Dear Old Dad

Answer 9

I'm also ex Army - Field Artillery-

And no I believe we are screwed. Fighting a war on terror is like fighting a war on jello.

It's hopeless misguided and a big waste of money.
I think better we should help end the poverty that leads to people willing to blow them selves up for an abstraction.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Terrorism has been around for centuries and it will always be around.

We just need to find better ways of trying to prevent it. War is not the answer! Soon after we pull out of Iraq, that country will begin to slowly fall apart again. It's a real shame that so many of our PROUD Military had to die for nothing!

Answer 11

Yes you can. Thinking otherwise is just inviting more attacks. Fighting terror is fighting an ideology. Notice we no longer have 20,000 Klan members marching through Washinton DC anymore, an ideology can be beat. We have to take out the ones spreading the ideology and have it replaced with one that is better for the people being taught in the first place.

It won't be easy or quick, but it can be done. We have done it befor.