Well, the first fallacy is that the first mission of the military is to get everyone back safely. If that were true, the safety of each soldier is primary, they wouldn't go over there. The "mission" is the top priority, number 1. 1A is safety.

Second fallacy is that "hearts and minds" are optional. "Hearts and minds" are absolutely essential to an effective anti-terror mission in a foreign country. Targeted, selective, mobile forces after the real bad guys, in conjunction with realistic aid for these backward areas would both eliminate the bad guys and win hearts and minds. Supply some books, pay some teachers, dig a well, hell, what would 10,000,000 books, subsidizing 10,000 local teachers, and 1,000 wells cost compared to bombing the bejesus out of anything which crosses the minds of a local commander?

ROE which did not involve killing everyone around any suspicious activity, such as a wedding, would be essential to gaining the support of the population. "Collateral damage" is not "collateral damage" to the locals, it's murder of their friends and family. Who are as important to them as yours and mine are to us.

We've seen what happens without "hearts and minds" in the rural areas of Afghanistan - Pakistan, and the urban areas of Iraq.

For instance, wherever bin Laden is, he has the support of the locals. Who don't trust or like the US because of heavy-handed tactics which are very expensive and, above all, counter-productive. Remember, there is no "winning" without hearts and minds. The locals have to perceive they are better off helping combat terrorists than harboring them, and that isn't done with heavy hands. With those tactics you can control behavior as long as you're around, but the minute your back is turned, you get shot. In the back.

This strategy would undoubtedly have the support of the world community, making it easier to implement, easier to find and eliminate the bad guys. It would be cheaper and build positive sentiment for the US. It would make the world safer.

And that's not what we have. So, another good rule of thumb might be to learn the lessons from our efforts so far, and to something, ANYTHING, differently. Work smarter, not harder. Remember the mission, "hearts and minds". It's not magic.

Arf