ISIS: The road to victory

“Victory” is no longer a part of our language; it has been replaced by “Negotiated Peace.” Victory is mentioned only because it is remembered as the end of World War II. It is clear that more wars or conflicts are lost or simply given away by politicians than any other single cause.

From December 1941 until victory in 1945, the military virtually controlled the war and the victory celebration. Beginning with the Korean conflict, the DOD managed the war with politicians which ended up as a tie, and ended at the same place that it started in 1950. The Vietnam affair was under the personal control of the president and ended as a major humiliation for the USA. Iraq and Afghanistan are both micro-managed by politicians and are likewise ending without victory, with Iraq given away.

I retired after serving 25 years as a naval aviator following two combat tours during World War II, three in North Korea and one in Vietnam. Based on my personal history, I am confident to assure readers that no reliable strategy exists to defeat and destroy ISIS. Air strikes are useful to prepare a battlefield for invasion or to support ground troops, but it is not a strategy to take and hold territory or destroy ISIS. “Boots or grunts on the ground” are essential for such task.

ALMON OLIVER

Coeur d’Alene