Writers note: I originally wrote this in Febuary, but it is as true now as it was then....

Obama’s escalation of aggression in Pakistan and Afghanistan

President Obama has announced a surge of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. This will only lead to more bloodshed on both sides, and may just erode any “Hope” The Arab and Muslim world had for Obama.

Granted, Obama was left with a huge mess after bush, however continuing bush policies is not a solution, in fact it is the problem.

Often Americans feel a superiority and a right, nay, a necessity to impose our corporate/lobby led military power and bankrupt ideals on others, often as a ruse to take resources. Many choose to judge us by our fruits, rather than our rhetoric, and choose to resist, rather than to submit.

A phrase known by even children of occupied lands encapsulates this common position: “I would rather die on my feet, than live on my knees.”

In fact in many cultures, submission to a foreign military occupation, is an unknown concept. Many, and especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan have a very proud and long history of repelling invaders, and in fact see it as their duty to do so. These are resolute peoples with a long memory, not found often in the “West”.

Our methods of warfare often only serve to embolden resistance. We are seen as cowards by our use of air strikes and constant attacks by drones on civilians, and our surge presents to those who wish to fight us with many targets.

Another feature of the people of the Areas we are invading is patience. We can not outlast them, nor can not kill them all, and they will never submit to any other than to Allah.

An American soldier may not really know why he is there fighting, where the resistance has no such lack of inspiration.

Death of a thousand cuts we will suffer.

All of this is not to say we are not capable of massive destruction, and have proven eager to lay waste upon the land with little or no regard for “collateral damage.” But for them “Collateral damage” is plain murder of babies, and mothers, grandmothers… and entire families.

The language of Obama’s aggressive message to the Muslim world is seen to many as a clenched fist, punctuated with air-strikes offering no “hope”, rather “just more of the same.”

Even if it was possible to “win” this war, war is not the solution.

Bring ALL THE TROOPS HOME!

Tyler Westbrook
WHYnotnews