Content area
Full Text
Quick Relook at 4th GW
Mr. William S. Lind's "Fourth-Generation Warfare's First Blow: A Quick Look" (MCG, Nov01) was a "hasty glance" at the challenges confronting our country. In deference to Mr. Lind, his short perspective was provocative and did not receive the space warranted to properly introduce, let alone defend, his recommendations. However, while agreeing with many of Mr. Lind's points, I found the theme troubling and am compelled to reply.
Lind suggests that the U.S. Government should have quickly responded to the terrorist attacks by directing nuclear weapons against Taliban-- held Afghanistan. This would have literally been overkill. Detonation of a nuclear warhead in Kabul or Kandahar would have killed tens of thousands of Afghanis guilty only of succumbing to an extremist regime. Even more unsettling would be the consequence of other nations using nuclear weapons. After all, in this scenario the United States would have readily opted to use nukes against a two-bit regime. Finally, wouldn't this extreme option have demonstrated a weakness? That is, the U.S. military is limited to extreme responses rather than a wide range of courses of action.
Later Lind proposes that we reunite Christendom in anticipation of a clash of civilizations. He warns that America must return to its "historic, unified culture." Which culture? Will I be included? This advice frightens me even more than a rash employment of nuclear weapons. I have dedicated my life to defending values Lind apparently proposes be abolished. Freedom of religion and tolerance of different cultures-are these not principles upon which this country was founded and has prospered? These are among the core values of this country for which I am willing to die; yet Lind suggests we abandon them because they are not worth the risk.
Yes, Mr. Lind, the United States must prepare for fourthgeneration warfare (4th GW), but let's not squash the things we cherish as we stand to defend ourselves.
LtCol Michael Gallagher, USMCR
Thursday evening, 22 June 1995. Mess Night. Bravo Company, The Basic School. The Honorable Paul McHale and then-LtGen Charles E. Wilhelm were guests of honor. William Lind was there, too. During the toasting period, Lind stood up and raised his glass: "To the anniversary of Operation BARBARossA." That's right. Here's Bill Lind asking...