Iraq lessons learned, US Marines turn to Afghanistan

The Marines have always been excellent warriors and Americans have always been fast learners. General Erwin Rommel told his Furher that the Americans will lose their first battles, and then win constantly after that. It was true. At least it is if I remember the quote right.

All the great generals who have studied military history know that the Americans will be able to win a conventional war and most know that they can win an unconventional war. The only way to win against American military is to change the political parameters.

It worked in Korea and Vietnam, it is working in the War on Terrorism.

Until the politicians quit, the military will keep kicking butt. against all comers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSSP463281

DESERT OF DEATH, Afghanistan, June 28 (Reuters) - After five years coping with the most dangerous province in Iraq, the U.S. Marines have been given their next assignment: the most dangerous province in Afghanistan.

But this time around, they say they will talk a little more and shoot a little less.

"We spent so much time in Iraq learning from our mistakes," said Corporal Mahmoud Awada, a 21-year-old Lebanese-American Marine from Utah, who spent the second half of 2007 and early 2008 in Anbar west of Baghdad.

"We learned that we can't just go around kicking down doors because that won't work. In Iraq, what really helped us win over there, make the situation better, was gaining the trust of the people, becoming friends with them."

The Marines that have arrived in recent weeks in Afghanistan's wild southern Helmand province are a different force from the Marines who blasted their way into Anbar.

Back then, the Marines were still learning the art of counter-insurgency warfare.