Originally posted by Rath
In unconventional warfare, 71 operatives is actually a lot. The Battle of Tora Bora was waged by about 50 men. Mainly Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, and CIA Special Activities Division. You could say it's comparing apples to oranges, and it might be. But you can't be more unconventional than terrorism. In regards to Russia, and China. We're on the wrong side of the Syrian conflict to even be considered remotely allied with them. I said this years ago, when the Syrian conflict came to light in the mainstream media that the Syrian rebels are who we do not need to align with. Sure enough it looks like I was right. Instead, Obama does his shtick like he usually does. And as a result we're tied into another proxy war against the Russians and the Chinese. You don't know how much I would love for you to be right. That if something happened on the homeland, that Americans will wake up. But I fear that it's too late as indoctrination has ran so deep that people will chalk up irrefutable evidence as conspiracy theory.
I would have to agree that invading Iraq was a mistake. We destabilized a country because they were led by a secular dictator and member of the Ba'ath party. A lot of people - including Obama - were against the war in Iraq. Now the Iraqi government is in power - if you want to consider their weak attempt at government a government - their defense forces couldn't handle insurgencies and unconventional warfare especially after we pulled out. Thus, they were further destabilized to where they are now. Ironically, Obama wants to target Bashar al-Assad who is also secular and a member of the Ba'ath party. There is no difference between the two. Saddam was found to be in possession of mustard and sarin gas as is al-Assad. It's insanity I tell you. We're doing everything we can possibly do, wrong.
As for culling terrorism. It's never going to happen. Our ROE is stupid. It insures that we take causalities before we can engage. Frankly, for ISIS to be defeated we're going to have to drop the rebels. Tell al-Assad that we were wrong, amend relations with Russia, and promptly change our ROE. Sorry for attempting to write and essay. This is a topic that I have spent a lot of time investigating, researching, and will eventually have first hand experience in. Unfortunately for me, I won't be the one giving orders.
No need to apologize for preaching, and if you are going into this hell hole, I completely understand your interest in the topic. This is one of few political discussions I enjoy having, especially when other people have different viewpoints. You are correct that in unconventional warfare, 71 people is a large threat. I would however say it is indeed a bit of apples to oranges. Trained militants compared to, what ever you want to call ISIS fighters in the US, but I doubt trained would be an adjective that would accurately describe them. The invasion of Iraq was a mistake. Not only did we destabilize the region, but we, whether the US gov't wants to admit it or not, took the lives of thousands of civilians over the course of the war, both in collateral damage and direct action. We should have taken a more precise action and gone after Sadam and Bin-Laden directly. Coordinated assaults rather than full out invasion.
When it comes to Russia and China, proxy war is a good term for it. Its only a matter of time before we kill one of them or they kill one of us in collateral damage, or worse, directly. I hope you are wrong about the indoctrination though. It scares me to think people wouldn't be able to see the evidence when dangled in front of them.
The ROE I understand, but at the same time I don't. In order to get anything done, we need to directly engage them. Not wait for them to shoot at us. Right now it seems as though Obama and his administration are saying "Lets wipe out ISIS... Uh... Don't shoot first though." So irritating.