I’m completing a course called Airpower in Small Wars as the final course for my master’s degree in military history. While reading about the postwar French experience in Indo-China and in Algeria, I noticed some interesting parallels which clearly demonstrate the gravity of our situation today in Afghanistan specifically and the war against jihadists in general.
Following World War Two, France attempted to regain control over their former colonies in Southeast Asia. Instead they found a determined opponent in the form of the Viet Minh, whose goal was an independent Vietnam. The Viet Minh were committed to achieving their objective at all costs. The French, on the other hand, lacked the same level of commitment. Their economy remained in a weakened state following World War Two and they faced other pressing threats closer to home. Consequently, they were never able or willing to commit the troops and resources necessary to defeat the Viet Minh. As a result, the Viet Minh eventually forced the French from North Vietnam. In order to prevent a communist take-over of all Southeast Asia, the United States ramped up support to South Vietnam as the French left, but that experience is another story.
Algeria enjoyed status as something of a French “state,” even holding delegate seats in the French legislature. Similar to the situation in Indo-China, a desire for independence rapidly gained momentum following World War Two. In this case, the push for independence came from Arabs in Algeria who suffered as “second-class” citizens under the ethnic Algerians. When fighting broke out, the French were determined not to lose Algeria. Unlike Vietnam, in Algeria the French committed the resources and the will to win. The French dominated the fight, clearly and decisively militarily defeating the insurgents. However, by 1960 the political winds had changed. The French leadership lost the political will to hold onto their victory and granted Algeria independence.
In Afghanistan, and in the war against jihadists in general, we face a very determined and committed enemy. Radical Islam is committed to achieving their goals no matter the cost – something most in the west simply do not understand. Our enemy is not a bumbling fool, but a calculating, cunning protagonist so committed to the fight he’s even willing to martyr himself in order to achieve larger objectives. Our enemy is not interested in “peace” or “negotiated settlements” or “just getting along.” We face an enemy whose only acceptable end-state is complete and total victory. For them, victory means complete destruction of the United States and our way of life. They murdered nearly 3,000 innocent people in one day, yet far too many still can’t get the concept through their heads that this is not an enemy who will stop fighting if we just give them a big hug.
Where does this leave us in the fight? Are we going to follow the French example and either lack the commitment to win the fight or win the fight and then give up? The stakes are simply too high to follow either example. When the French lost, they only lost colonies. If we lose, we lose it all. Unfortunately, it seems most people, including our political leadership, do not understand what’s at stake in this fight. Our very existence as a people and a nation are the stakes in this fight.
Don’t think we should be in the fight? First, our enemy does not share your opinion and would actually prefer your opinion since that will make it easier for them to kill you. Second, that horse has already done left the stable! At this point in the game, “should we be fighting?” is now nothing more than an academic question. We ARE in the fight. The only acceptable outcome is victory. If we want to survive as a people and as a nation, we must prevail. There is simply no other option. Look to the French example to see what happens if we just “give up” in the face of a determined and committed enemy.
Semper Alacer 
Semper Alacer — Always Alert
[From the original introduction to my blog in November 2008.]
What’s this all about?
I have created this blog to share my thoughts on the nation and do my part in attempting to bring people back to the Constitution of the United States. I’ve named it Semper Alacer — Always Alert, as a reminder that our founders told us we needed to remain always alert to protect our freedom and liberty. We are headed down a dark and dangerous path as a nation. Our only hope lays in reconnecting to our founders and our Constitution.
Unfortunately, it’s now hip to portray our founders as nothing but a bunch of dead racist white guys and our Constitution as something that means whatever a judge thinks it means on a particular day, if it even applies at all. Far too many people think that “the government” is the answer to all their problems. Far too many fear hard work and personal responsibility, instead choosing to give up their freedom in return for a government handout. To continue down this path will surely lead to our demise.
The funny thing is, our founders warned us about all this. They told us what would happen if we began to take freedom for granted. They told us what would happen to the nation and what kinds of politicians and “leaders” we would get. They warned us what kind of people we would become. Because we’ve become so disconnected from them, we don’t hear their words, little lone even know they spoke those words.
WE are all AMERICANS. We are not Democrat-Americans, Republican-Americans, African-Americans, European-Americans or any other kind of “dash American.” WE are one: E Pluribus Unum – Out of Many, One. As a people, we used to understand this instinctively. However, beginning especially in the 20th century, we’ve allowed certain politicians and “leaders” to begin driving wedges between us. Their desire is for us to be so busy turning against each other that we ignore what they are doing to all of us. We need to come back together as one people.
There are many who would see this great nation destroyed. They know they can never directly defeat the United States of America. The only way they can destroy our nation is if we allow them to do so. And that is precisely what we are doing when we turn against each other, when we give up our freedom and liberty for the opium of “hope” and “change.” Some buy into that and think they are “winning,” but in the end we all lose when our nation falls.
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin commented at the signing of the Constitution that during the convention, he had observed the Sun engraved into the President’s chair. Franklin remarked on the fact that it’s difficult for an artist to convey whether a Sun is setting or rising, and all during the convention, he had been trying to determine if the artwork on the chair depicted a rising or setting Sun. Franklin said with the signing of the Constitution, he was sure it represented a rising Sun. It’s now up to us to determine if it’s a rising or setting Sun.
Some of you may not like some of the things I have to say. To which I reply: GOOD! That is exactly why we have the First Amendment: to allow for the free and open debate of ideas. Open and honest dialog is good. It allows us to gain new insights and learn from each other.
Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind in service of my country. – George Washington, March 1783
And THAT is what this is all about…