I read in the Washington Post today an article that made me sit up in my chair and shout ‘thank you!’ Current Defence Secretary Robert Gates has produced a strategy document that actually makes sense. Firstly,
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says that even winning the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will not end the “Long War” against violent extremism…
Gates embraces the “Long War” term that his predecessor, Donald H. Rumsfeld, invoked to equate the fight against terrorism with struggles against Soviet communism and Nazi fascism. His strategy, however, departs from Rumsfeld’s focus on pre-emptive military action and instead encourages current and future U.S. leaders to work with other countries to eliminate the conditions that foster extremism.
While I agree on the point of equating this war to that against Soviet communism (I argued similarly in my MA dissertation but for different reasons) it is wonderful to see a top Bush strategist acknowledging that pre-emptive war does no good. It is acknowledged that it is odd for a defence strategy to be produced so late in the day for Bush and his administration but Gates sees this as “’a blueprint to success’ for a future administration.” Gates points to the usual suspects of Iran and North Korea as potential threats but also to China and Russia. He wants to see the US build relationships with China and Russia in order to hopefully prevent them from gaining any further military power. Finally, he identifies India as a potential ally that he wants to see more involved in international affairs due to its “growing economic, military, and soft power.”
The report has not been released yet and certainly President Obama or McCain (ahem, NOT!) could throw it right out the window on the first day in the White House. It is heartening, however, to see a Bush administration document that I can agree with. I honestly thought it would never happen.