[b]Chief of defence staff says defeating al-Qaeda is "not possible" and "unnecessary" as long as fighters are contained. [/b]
[img]http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2010/11/14/20101114141339587790_20.jpg[/img]
General David Richards underlined Britain's aim to end its combat role in Afghanistan by 2014-15 [Reuters]
[release]Britain's most senior officer has been quoted as saying that al-Qaeda can never be completely defeated.
David Richards, chief of the defence staff, said on Sunday that outright victory is "unnecessary" as long as governments are able to contain the fighters.
"First of all, you have to ask: 'Do we need to defeat it (al-Qaeda) in the sense of a clear cut victory?'" Richards told British newspaper the Sunday Telegraph.
"I would argue that it is unnecessary and would never be achieved ... but can we contain it to the point that our lives and our children's lives are led securely? I think we can."
His comments are the latest from western military leaders and politicians who have been paving the way for coalition forces to exit Afghanistan over the coming years, even though the Taliban remains a significant threat to security there.
Barack Obama, the US president, and David Cameron, the British prime minister, hope to start bringing troops home next year.
Richards underlined Britain's aim to end its combat role in Afghanistan by 2014-15 but did not estimate how much longer after that coalition troops would need to support Afghan security forces.
Richards, who became head of Britain's armed forces last month, said the region should be stabilised before any withdrawal is completed.
"We are equally clear that we have got to support the operation thereafter to make sure that our legacy is an enduring one," he said.
British soldiers have been fighting in Afghanistan since 2001 as part of a US-led force.[/release]
[url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/2010111413513420242.html]Source[/url]
What does this even mean?
[quote]
"I would argue that it is unnecessary and would never be achieved ... but can we contain it to the point that our lives and our children's lives are led securely? I think we can."[/quote]
full quote, the title is very sensationalized
Poory titled thread
[QUOTE=Regulas021;26068050]Poory titled thread[/QUOTE]
I just took the title of the article. It's basically just saying that a full victory isn't necessary and can't be achieved.
[img]http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/images/afghanistan-1300.jpg[/img]
It's possible
[QUOTE=Archy;26068044]full quote, the title is very sensationalized[/QUOTE]
Yeah, this is true. He's just saying that a total victory over al-Qaeda is tactically unlikely, but a technical one isn't.
They did, however, succeed in "defeating" many innocent civilians and terrorizing populations of countries whole.
Oh, wait, this is European. Move on :saddowns:
[QUOTE=marlkarxv2;26067969][b]Chief of defence staff says defeating al-Qaeda is "not possible" and "unnecessary" as long as fighters are contained. [/b]
[img_thumb]http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2010/11/14/20101114141339587790_20.jpg[/img_thumb]
[/QUOTE]
I'm sorry, and I know it's to honor fallen soldiers, but it's funny to see a paper decoration on a senior officer's uniform
[QUOTE=TheTalon;26070453]I'm sorry, and I know it's to honor fallen soldiers, but it's funny to see a paper decoration on a senior officer's uniform[/QUOTE]
Don't quote the whole OP.
[QUOTE=Leaf Runner;26069402]They did, however, succeed in "defeating" many innocent civilians and terrorizing populations of countries whole.
Oh, wait, this is European. Move on :saddowns:[/QUOTE]
If you're talking about the Middle East and Africa, then you're right on the money.
basically its not worth anyone's time to track down and kill every last al-qaeda member and we should just leave them be.
This isn't new information, it's always been projected that a "win" in A-stan is providing security to stabilize the region while providing education and alternative means of income for the people.
Of course defeating Al Qaeda is impossible. Al Qaeda isn't an army in the official sense - it's a group of people who all follow and support the same idea(s). You can't destroy ideas, but you can contain them.
[QUOTE=David29;26074419]Of course defeating Al Qaeda is impossible. Al Qaeda isn't an army in the official sense - it's a group of people who all follow and support the same idea(s). You can't destroy ideas, but you can contain them.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.[/QUOTE] Thought of this.
Attempt diplomacy, success or not; pack up and leave. Honestly this armpit is not worth the time and hardship of every country in NATO. The place shouldn't have been touched in the first place (its unfortunate the soviets destabilized it so badly)
You can't deal with a terrorist organization in a large foreign territory through conventional warfare.
[editline]15th November 2010[/editline]
[QUOTE=JaegerMonster;26073903]This isn't new information, it's always been projected that a "win" in A-stan is providing security to stabilize the region while providing education and alternative means of income for the people.[/QUOTE]
It's hard to do that, because when you make an attempt, a bunch of terrorists or guerrillas start killing and terrorizing the civilians that accept the help from western forces. That's how an insurgency works. The Taliban and Al-Queda are not trying to win hearts and minds of women and children, they are trying to recruit more men, and terrorize anybody else who opposes their authority. As twisted as that may be its the only really effective way for them to dominate the country and surrounding areas.
It's not a matter of walking in and blowing sunshine up everybody's asses, you need to deal with any militants that control important towns and cities, to do that you need to show force. civilians die, and when civilians die the insurgency gains footing. If you manage to establish yourself, you need to keep your safe territory secure, and that is quite difficult when your combatants wear civilian clothing and suicide bomb as retaliation.
[QUOTE=hypno-toad;26074564]Attempt diplomacy, success or not; pack up and leave. Honestly this armpit is not worth the time and hardship of every country in NATO. The place shouldn't have been touched in the first place (its unfortunate the soviets destabilized it so badly)
You can't deal with a terrorist organization in a large foreign territory through conventional warfare.
[editline]15th November 2010[/editline]
It's hard to do that, because when you make an attempt, a bunch of terrorists or guerrillas start killing and terrorizing the civilians that accept the help from western forces. That's how an insurgency works. The Taliban and Al-Queda are not trying to win hearts and minds of women and children, they are trying to recruit more men, and terrorize anybody else who opposes their authority. As twisted as that may be its the only really effective way for them to dominate the country and surrounding areas.
It's not a matter of walking in and blowing sunshine up everybody's asses, you need to deal with any militants that control important towns and cities, to do that you need to show force. civilians die, and when civilians die the insurgency gains footing. If you manage to establish yourself, you need to keep your safe territory secure, and that is quite difficult when your combatants wear civilian clothing and suicide bomb as retaliation.[/QUOTE]
Never said it was simple or easy. Afghanistan is a war that needs another 10 years of work before we'll see true, steady results, and I for one, think it's not worth the time, money, or most importantly - lives, that will be wasted in the process.
I'm sure many others feel the same.
[QUOTE=David29;26074419]Of course defeating Al Qaeda is impossible. Al Qaeda isn't an army in the official sense - it's a group of people who all follow and support the same idea(s). You can't destroy ideas, but you can contain them.[/QUOTE]
You can't kill an idea, but you can shoot the fucker that came up with it.
[QUOTE=Moose;26076364]You can't kill an idea, but you can shoot the fucker that came up with it.[/QUOTE]
You're sick.
The Taliban don't deserve to be part of the world's future.
[QUOTE=Moose;26076656]The Taliban don't deserve to be part of the world's future.[/QUOTE]
Who the fuck are you to judge ?
The guy that thinks they have nothing good to contribute to the rest of the world since they're making it more difficult for us to live in it.
[QUOTE=Moose;26076711]The guy that thinks they have nothing good to contribute to the rest of the world since they're making it more difficult for us to live in it.[/QUOTE]
But what good do YOU have to contribute to the rest of the world ?
[QUOTE=Laserbeams;26076720]But what good do YOU have to contribute to the rest of the world ?[/QUOTE]
EDIT: Fuck it.
[QUOTE=Laserbeams;26076720]But what good do YOU have to contribute to the rest of the world ?[/QUOTE]
A miniscule yet necessary role in society that obligates me to ensure the advancement of humanity as a whole?
[QUOTE=JaegerMonster;26076772]I'm sorry, are you seriously comparing him against a group that is well known for killing those who oppose them, raping women and slaughtering children?[/QUOTE]
I am, but I'm just joking
[QUOTE=Laserbeams;26076782]I am, but I'm just joking[/QUOTE]
It's a shame that they joke with rifles instead of words.
And that they rape women and children yeah thats pretty bad im sure thats pretty bad
this guy is now known as captain obvious
Why wont we learn? Guerrilla Warfare cannot be won
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