TIME TO WIN

I have made the argument many times that the American people are incapable of seeing a long, drawn out war to a positive conclusion if there is not a clearly visible and understandable path to a traditional victory. This was true during the conventional war in Korea, and also true in the conventional/insurgent war in Vietnam, and true today in the insurgent/sectarian war in Iraq. Each time, as the possibility of a traditional victory faded, public support for the war waned. Each time, however, responsible American political leaders understood that failure was not an option. Each time they responded by making one, last maximum effort to achieve some reasonable kind of victory.

In Korea, President Eisenhower maintained a very active defense on the front despite incessant Chinese attacks (see Pork Chop Hill) and, more importantly, secretly let it be known that the Atomic Bomb was still an option. This drove the Chinese and the North Koreans to finally agree to an armistice.

In Vietnam, President Nixon finally took the gloves off in the air war against Vietnam and sent troops into the VC sanctuaries in Cambodia. These moves drove the North Vietnamese to the peace table and allowed for a settlement. Sadly, since Nixon was discredited and forced to resign by Watergate, and anti-war Democrats surged into Congress in greater numbers in 1974, that victory was lost when Congress refused to fund any action, including air support, to help the South Vietnamese withstand the conventional North Vietnamese invasion in 1975.

The lesson is clear. Now that the election is over, it is time for the President to demand a strategy from his advisors, both military and civilian, that raises the level of violence on the part of OUR forces against the enemy. This means bold offensive action against the Sunni insurgents AND the Shiite militias. If the Iraqi government doesn't like it, that's tough. They will complain, but they will respect strength and resolve, especially when the alternative is their own extinction.

It is time to win. If we are unwilling to do what is necessary to win, then we should withdraw immediately. The chaos that ensues, resulting in a victory for al Qaeda, might be enough to awaken the public and our leaders to taking the necessary measures here and abroad that would truly make us a nation at war.