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.

Petraeus: It would be an honor to serve

In his speech addressing Congress before the full committee hearing on his nomination to be reappointed to grade of general and to be commander of the United States Central Command, General David Petraeus said there are four concerns. The first is violent extremism, including but not limited to al Qaida. Second, weapons of mass destruction and lack of transparency by countries such as Iran, which he said is a major cause of concern. Third, lack of sustainable economic development in the Middle East, which is a serious security concern, as poor communities can cause hotbeds of extremism. Fourth, narcotics and arms smuggling which can threaten legitimate operations and can help out terrorists. While this is not an exhaustive list, he said, this is a basic list.

A purely military solution is not the solution, he said, and the approach should be to first seek to strengthen our international partnerships with which to pursue our mutual interests. If he is confirmed, he said, he will search for comprehensive results, by looking for the underlying reasons for issues. I will work tirelessly as a combatant commander and Congress to work that those serving have best equipment, and care for those that have been wounded, Petraeus said. This is a sacred obligation that I take very seriously, he said, and it will mean carrying the heaviest rucksack I’ve ever shouldered, just as our soldiers are carrying heavy rucksacks now. There can be no alternative but to soldier on with them, to help us carry out our assigned mission. It would be an honor, he said, to serve.

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, appearing before the committee to be considered for appointment to the grade of general and to be commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, said that as he reflects on his nomination, he’s humbled and honored. He understands the great cost our nation has endured in Iraq, and the responsibility that comes with his position. Integrity, commitment and drive that such a position demands, is something that he hopes to bring with him should he be confirmed to his position.

During the initial speech of Petraeus, Code Pink caused a major disruption by shouting, screaming, and demonstrating their anti-war cause while wearing outfits that were depicting “bloody clothes” and “death.” While the Capitol Police removed them and Senator Carl Levin (D- Mich), Chairman, asked them to be quiet and refrain from demonstrating vocally. The remaining Code Pink members sat silently, holding signs that said “Stop the Killing” and “Endless War,” but not creating further disruptions.