U.S. Sours on War in Afghanistan

[Geee]

Human Events:

According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll public, opinion has turned sharply against the war in Afghanistan, and a clear majority of Americans believe that the war isn’t worth fighting. Fittingly, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, spoke to a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to assess the situation in the conflict.

What was striking about the testimony of America’s most famous general was the near total commitment of the U.S. military to fighting radical Islam throughout the world. The military viewpoint sharply contrasts with the muddled, obfuscatory responses toward radical Islam on display in last week’s hearing on the radicalization of Muslims.

More than merely echoing the defeatist cries stemming from the anti-war Left, the poll reflects how the Afghan war has become contentious even among traditionally hawkish groups. The reason for this should be apparent. The hysterics on display at the Peter King hearing, the erosion of U.S. economic strength, and the Executive Branch’s narrative over the last few years have all been factors in the weakening of the public commitment to a war in one of the most inhospitable and dangerous places on Earth.



Sen. Carl Levin (D.-Mich.) spoke to Petreaus about the “hammer and anvil” strategy in Iraq. This name comes from the strategy that Alexander the Great used against the Persians to devastating effect. Alexander’s elite, loyal cavalry would rush around the Persian line of battle and attack it from the rear. This would push Persian soldiers into the bristling spears of the highly disciplined Greek hoplites. The result was usually complete and spectacular victory over forces of often far greater numerical superiority.