Bridging The Cultural Divide To Fight Terrorists

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

General David Petraeus
Photo By Michael Ruhl

According to General David Petraeus, an educated American soldier that can bridge the cultural divide with the Muslim world can more effectively fight the War on Terror. This soldier would understand the social context they are operating within, and would understand the broad implications and consequences of military action.

General Petraeus, Commander of U.S. Central Command, discussed U.S. military strategy in the Middle East and South Asia while testifying today before Congress.

“While additional military forces clearly are necessary (in Afghanistan), they will not by themselves be sufficient to achieve our objective,” said the General. America’s objective, he said, is to make sure extremists do not have a haven from which to plan and execute another attack on the level of the 9-11 attacks.

A smarter military can better understand the necessary social infrastructure to facilitate lasting peace within a region. This combined with intelligent military action, international cooperation, the building of infrastructure and a swath of other initiatives will help America secure the region, according to Petraeus. “You cannot kill or capture your way out of an industrial strength insurgency,” the General said.

"We also need to expand just the basic knowledge of Afghanistan among our forces," Petraeus said. He continued that greater knowledge will lead to a "nuanced and granular understanding" that will enable the Army to undertake the kind of sophisticated reconciliation processes in Afghanistan that were important in Iraq.

Congressman Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) agreed that soldiers should be educated, and brought attention to the U.S. Army’s Homestead Program. Dicks said this program involves an Officer taking a year off from active service to live in a country, learn the language, and understand the culture. Retired Army General John Abizaid did a program similar to this. Abizaid was former Commander of U.S. Central Command.

The U.S. Army could not be reached for comment on the current funding of the program, but Dicks expressed concern on the small number of individuals enrolled in it.

The necessary approach to success involves placing security in the hands of the Afghans, Petraeus said, which means helping them collectively realize that the biggest security threat in the region comes from dissident extremist elements within the country, most notably Al-Qaeda. He emphasized that America’s presence in Afghanistan is not permanent, and that Afghanistan’s government and economy must be encouraged by its citizens.

September 11th Remembered - Pictures From Ground Zero

On Thrusday, September 11th, New York City commemorated the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Here are a few pictures from Ground Zero.



















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Pelosi: We are stronger since Sept. 11th

"The skies may be blue today, but we must remember this day seven years ago, when the skies were nothing but gray with ash," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said at the September 11th remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Hoyer was joined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner. (R-Ohio).

A large number of spectators came to the west steps of the U.S. Capitol to remember those that lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The United States Marine Corp Band played the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.

"Seven years ago, a band of whicked men attacked America and all that is represents. They had hoped that we would remember that day with fear and terrible confusion and doubt. But Septemeber 11th has become a day of solemn pride," McConnell said during his speech.

Pelosi's speech conveyed the strength that America has gained since September 11th. " We gather to observe the unforgettable horror of September 11th. We gather to convey out deepest sympathies to the families of September 11th, many of whom have turned their grief into strength to make America safer,"

Following Pelosi's speech there was a moment of silence where crying was heard for those that died. Senator Robert Byrd (D- W.Va.) could be heard through the ceremony shouting "Amen,""Peace be with you," and the faint sound of crying. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Marine Corps Band played God Bless America hundreds sang along as the Members of Congress hugged one another and waved American flags in the air.