War must be impossible for Bill Press to understand. Every time Press, the co-host of CNN Crossfire, is on the air, he clearly displays a temper tantrum over the war against terrorism. Just last week he bluntly asked, "If the military's doing such a great job, why, after three weeks of nonstop, intensive bombing of one of the poorest countries on earth, with no navy, no air force and only a ragtag band of soldiers using obsolete weapons - is the Taliban still in power?" The answer is obvious, it takes time to win a war.
The operational mechanics of the war call for perseverance, not impatience. Needless to say, the U.S. is currently trying to win this war without deploying ground troops. This is why Operation Enduring Freedom is dependent on aerial bombings and the Northern Alliance. Since day one of this conflict, both elements have been making gradual and consistent achievements. The first two weeks of the U.S. bombing campaign destroyed and incapacitated most of the Taliban's anti-aircraft installations, probably the reason why the Taliban is trying to recruit additional anti-air gunners. Similarly, the Northern Alliance has been renewing their attacks with new supplies.
Now that our planes are free from enemy attacks, heavy bombers have been utilized to hit the Taliban's armies in the front lines. The enemy's ground forces have and will continue to be damaged physically and psychologically from carpet-bombings, allowing the Northern Alliance to attack and occupy key positions in Afghanistan. The U.S. bombing campaign will also pick up speed with three new bases that Tajikistan has offered, including the Dushanbe International Airport. Until now, most of the U.S. Air Force planes had to come from Diego Garcia or Saudi Arabia, which limited the number of bombing runs they could perform. But with the new bases, military analysts expect average strike missions to increase from 79 to 200 missions daily.
Despite some criticism from the media, the Northern Alliance has also been doing their part. Although they are not yet capable of a major all-out offensive, since they have been out-equipped and out-supplied for the last four years, the balance is being restored. This past weekend, Bagram airport became active, thanks to American combat engineers. Until now, the Northern Alliance had to rely on small loads of supplies carried by helicopters and trucks, but with the new airport, they will be able to receive heavy equipment and ammo from the U.S. bases in the region. The new supply routes, when combined with the approaching winter, will act as a boost for the Northern Alliance since the Taliban lacks the supplies and equipment suitable for long-term winter combat.
Aside from the amount of time needed for this type of step-by-step war plan, there are other reasons as to why every American should be patient. Too often, the American public can be impatient with a war effort hoping for quick victory. However, when this type of frustration builds up and is suddenly met with casualties, the exact opposite sentiment prevails: impatience to pull troops out. America's experience in the Cold War should teach us just that. Moreover, if this war is to avoid ending in a stalemate or defeat like that of Korea or Vietnam, the public needs to remain supportive of our troops.
Then there are those who have been impatient with this war since the beginning. Many war critics, including the Taliban government, dub the bombings as being, "counter productive" and "genocide of civilians." But the fact remains: This air war campaign is the most professional and targeted bombing campaign in the history of human civilization. Professional since the bombings have wiped out the Afghan air force and destroyed nine al-Qa'eda bases in less than two weeks. Targeted since the air force is bombing front lines and military installations as opposed to civilian residences in cities.
One should not overlook the instances in which the U.S. planes have killed civilians during their missions. Nonetheless, it would also be unfair to judge the U.S. air campaign as being "indiscriminate" when it is the smallest and most restricted since the establishment of the U.S. Air Force. During the Gulf War, the coalition had an average of 1,500 missions, Kosovo at least 1,000. But in Afghanistan, average day missions so far have been 79 per day, including food and medical aid drops. It is clear that the U.S. is conducting painstakingly careful bombing runs to save civilian lives.
Sixty-one years ago, when questioned as to what his aim was as the new prime minister, Winston Churchill shortly replied, "I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - victory in spite of all terrors - victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival." The same wisdom holds today. America must strive to win the war against terrorism consistently and patiently.
Sources include: The Washington Post, The Washington Times, CNN, Time Magazine, FAS, Chosun Ilbo, AFP, London Telegraph, Associated Press.
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