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New US Afghanistan Chief: Convince, Don't Kill

Sketches strategy to mix troops with population

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2009 9:20 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The new US commander in Afghanistan says his experiences there and in Iraq have changed his perspective on an effective counterinsurgency: “You're going to have to convince people, not kill them,” Gen. Stanley McChrystal tells the Wall Street Journal. “Since 9/11, I have watched as America tried to first put out this fire with a hammer, and it doesn't work," he said. "Decapitation strategies don't work.”

His goal: a “classic counterinsurgency campaign” that gets “people down in among the population,” sending troops farther from their bases to build stability and intelligence. But he’s not sure current staffing levels will suffice. Some have worried that McChrystal’s history of work with elite forces—much of his recent activity remains secret—doesn’t qualify him for his new job. He thinks not, but it’s a “fair question,” the special-ops expert says.

Sen. John McCain greets Stanley A. McChrystal on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 2, 2009, prior to the start of the committee's confirmation hearing.
Sen. John McCain greets Stanley A. McChrystal on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 2, 2009, prior to the start of the committee's confirmation hearing.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Stanley A. McChrystal testifies on Capitol Hill before the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing.
Stanley A. McChrystal testifies on Capitol Hill before the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Presidential nominees testify on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Presidential nominees testify on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Armed Services Committee.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Mr.C
Jun 13, 2009 12:28 PM CDT
I'd be very greatful to have a man with this philosophy lead an army.
Corona_Kinq
Jun 13, 2009 5:31 AM CDT
You are literally too stupid to insult. - The Hangover.
2-bits
Jun 12, 2009 5:00 AM CDT
That doesn't work. The birthrate ensures that there will always be a health supply of people. That's why we lost Vietnam even though the Army was killing people at a ratio 17:1 (17 combatants killed for every american soldier killed). The Marines, interestingly enough, only got 5 : 1. Wrong kind of tactics, I guess. My point is: if people are determined to force you out, you just can't kick ass hard enough to make them stop short of nuclear weapons. A substantial portion of the population has to WANT you there, which we may or may not have in Afgahnistan.

More from the interview
Wall Street Journal

McChrystal talks to the BBC
BBC

US

 
Afghanistan • military strategy • US military • Afghanistan war • counterinsurgency • Stanley McChrystal

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