07-16-2009, 04:47 PM
zdunklee Wrote:.... cause Al-Queda doesn't have any real way to fight back against our troops compared to what Saddam had.
Err.. what? They seem to have done a fine job so far.. Otherwise we would've been finished with this mess a LONG time ago. The problem here is that you can't "win" against a fluid, moveable group of people like Al-Queda. You can achieve objectives, remove strongholds, establish "democracy", etc.. But how can you declare victory against a belief?
As for not having a way to fight back, they've been using and will continue to use the most effective means available: guerilla warfare. They're not stupid, as much as we'd like to think they are. A bit blinded by their own zealotry, sure.. but they realize how to win, or at least hold us off. When you fight someone who has to abide by certain rules, you win by exploiting those rules. THEY don't have to identify themselves, vocally or visually (uniform, etc).. we have to warn before using force. THEY can leave roadside bombs wherever they like.. we have to worry about collateral damage. THEY can headquarter in the midst of neighborhoods, school campuses and hospital basements.. we have to have an established central command away from civilian property. Hell, that's how we won the Revolutionary War.. we exploited the rigidity of the rules the Brits had to abide by.
Unfortunately, It's really very simple to find effective ways to combat our army and win support in the court of public opinion. I really hope things begin to swing farther our way in terms of momentum and we can begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but it does seem bleak.