When I read Congressman Edwards’ op-ed in Sunday’s (March 15) Citizen-Times, I found no fault in what he said. Iran’s government has been at war with the world since 1979 and they have given several countries sufficient justification to strike back. Their autocratic regime retains power by denying their people a choice and kills as many as necessary to remain in power. Edwards is not the only one who thinks it is past time to strike back and put an end to Iran’s violence against the world and its people. However, there is a lot to be said about HOW to do this.
There is a saying that “no plan survives contact with the enemy” and Eisenhower said, “Planning is essential, but plans are worthless.” That’s because the enemy is unlikely to accept your plan for their defeat. Adaptability is the key. It also means you want your best people helping you get there. I feel that Edwards’ piece affirmed the situation but didn’t speak to how it’s being done, or not done.
If war is necessary, then there is a key starting point for success: making a case for doing so to the people who will be in the war, not the military alone. Making the case to the rest of the world also matters. Not for their approval, but for making clear WHY this is being done. Our Declaration of Independence is a good example of doing just that. It spoke to those outside the nation in hope that allies would provide support (they did). That didn’t happen this time and our allies are balking at getting involved in a war started without their input and vaguely stated objective. The president, following months of alienating our allies, is now insisting they get involved.
Eisenhower said planning was essential. That means before the first shot is fired what you need to know is collected, allies are fully involved, and priorities are established. Priorities are important because missiles and bombs don’t resupply themselves and, as people are hearing, the arsenal is running low. Used wisely, they hit things that matter and avoid things that make new enemies…like girls schools.
Planning includes thinking ahead for how the enemy will respond and being ready to counter that response. The best example is the Straits of Hormuz, which has always been the card the regime plays and was expected again. traffic was going to stop. It is unwise to try moving slow moving vessels (aka sitting ducks) with large volumes of flammable materials through a pitched battle. Movement resumes after the shooting. But if allies are onboard before the war begins, contingency plans are in place and they help bring the expected shutdown to a quick end.
The administration didn’t try to win public or international support, didn’t get our allies onboard, and didn’t update the intelligence for some of the bombings/missile strikes. That is a simple matter of competence. Competence begins by knowing the limits of your own expertise and being willing to listen to and learn (quickly) from the experts. That has been sorely lacking in this administration and in our Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. He spouts a lot of bluster, threats, bravado, and gives the impression that he relishes what is happening. A more seasoned professional in his position would avoid such perceptions and not sound like a kid making threats.
But perhaps this is how Hegseth thinks. He has called rules of engagement “stupid” (when you abandon rules of engagement, expect the enemy to as well) and said “no quarter.” Does he understand that “no quarter” means you kill people who are surrendering? He terminated an office in the Department of Defense whose mission was specifically to learn from earlier missteps (civilian casualties) in order to prevent them as much as possible in the future. I understand he called it “woke.”
After 9/11 one significant objective was to “win hearts and minds.” Simply put that means do things that create friends instead of enemies. One goal is to dissuade potential recruits of terrorist organizations. For over 20 years efforts were made in that direction and now it seems to not fit into Hegseth’s definition of war fighting.
I would say to Edwards, I agree. Something needed to be done…starting a long time ago. But I would also say there is a smart way to do it…and this isn’t it.
Doug Williams is a former Intelligence Specialist with the Marine Corps with experience particular to the Middle East.