Kudos to Bing West on our Exit Strategy from Afghanistan

I urge my readers to pay attention to the message and rational of Bing West (a Vietnam Marine combatant and former assistant Secretary of Defense in the Reagen administration) in his new book, The Wrong War. His major premise is that we cannot the war in Afghanistan through the counterinsurgency strategy which underlies the increase of troops (the 'surge') which Obama ordered last year.

He argues that the beefed up war involves two purposes that are at odds. First we are over there to build a nation winning the hearts and minds of the civilian population by giving tribal chiefs and locals money and expertise to build up their infrastructure: their political structure, free elections, their own security forces, schools, municipalities, etc.. Second, we are fighting a war against the terrorist attacks of the Taliban.

He firmly believes we are fighting a losing battle with the former aim (the counterinsurgency), which is based on his living with our troops on many different war fronts in Afghanistan over the course of 8 visits in the last three years.

Our marines and soldiers are putting their lives, their hearts and souls in building bridges with the local populace.

But our ideology is wrong. We think that by sacrificing our boys and girls-- in fighting terrorism to build up a democratic state and handing out millions of dollars in direct aid--the Afghan people will be willing to do the same for their country and this is just not happening. The Afghans are wary of trusting us as they of their own government. They are happy to take out money and show little or no appreciation.

We need to focus exclusively on our military mission, he argues.

Dexter Filkins who reviewed the book for the New York Times deserves commendation as does Tavis Smiley who interviewed West on his show this past Wednesday.

In his interview with Smiley, West foresees us beginning to withdraw our troops this summer with the remainder, well below the current 100,00, to offer training to Afghan soldiers and security forces to fight their own war against the isolated attacks that the Taliban is known for. At the very least, 40,000 troops can protect the capitol city Kabul. And we will also save million of dollars. He says,"I don't think we'll ever win the hearts and minds of the Pashtun chiefs over there. Most of those tribes are hurtling headlong into the 10th Century."

This gradual exit scenario would constitute a 'victory' for US forces-- now in our 10th year in the longest war in US history.