Question:What is the center of gravity in our War on Terror?

There has been much debate on the way we are currently fighting the war. Currently we are being brainwashed by cowards who would for the most part never fight, retreat during the fight or recommend if you were to feel a need to fight - that you choose another course... that we cannot win this war. The reason is simple; they are afraid to fight and sacrifice. They prefer to withdraw into a shell like a turtle.

We can win this War by following in the footsteps of our nation's forefathers.

Here are some Military principles to help you with your thought process to evaluate our current situation.

1. When two groups go to war each is trying to impose their will on the other. The side that is most committed will usually win especially when one side is divided.
2. Strategy should be aimed at defining the enemy's most single source of power and then we form our strategy to defeat it. This is often referred to as finding the center of gravity and that is how you defeat the enemy.

An example of this would be trying to take and defeat a

Question

What do you think is the center of gravity in our current War on Terror?

Those who oppose the war on terror are mere cowards not realizing that in their beliefs, they are supporting our enemy in its effort to destroy our way of life. Terrorists flew OUR aircraft, containing OUR innocent citizens, into OUR greatest structures; the correct retaliation would be a war, to throw-over those terrorists, and seek out the leaders, and destroy them. During 9/11, evil meaning "people" trespassed upon our country and marked our country forever. This is not something that should be ignored because some of our soldiers are dying for what they believe in. You must realize that more insurgents and terrorists are dying than US soldiers. And our occupation in Afghanistan has helped, they only factor preventing our "domination" over terrorism are those who believe we do not need to be fighting our greatest enemy.

As with the war in Iraq, I believe Bush's decision to send more troops there was a step in the correct direction. If we withdrawal we will have admitted that we are afraid, and have been defeated by an enemy without a country. Would like to live in a country with a reputation of retreating from any enemy with no country, government or organizational structure?

Sgt. Levy

If there is a center of gravity.. it's not in Iraq.. it's right here in the good ol USofA. The biggest battle for Iraq isnt going to happen in Bagdad or Falluja or the Suni Triangle.. it's going to happen right here.. and it's going to happen on Nov 7th, 2008. Most of us will never have the opportunity to fight in Iraq or Afganistan.. or anywhere else the dark cloud of tyranny looms... but WE CAN AND MUST fight the battle beginning to rage over here..

Most Americans have no idea whats really going on or what our strategy is.. all they know is what they see in the media and what they hear from idiots like Hillary Clinton and Rosie O'Donel... and like sheep to the slaughter they follow blindly..

If you're reading this.. on this website.. chances are you're already armed with what you need to fight this battle.. but chances are your neighbor isnt.. or maybe your sister, or your cousin.. or someone else you know.. it's our duty to arm them... Be your brothers keeper.. their fate depends on it...

_________________
When all else fails....

Vote from the rooftops

In this case I believe sir Isaac is a blaggard and a dam right bastard of a man. I know of what you speek here Dave and the Center of this little rumble is defined only in part by both sides. We have got rid of the turd in the wood pile which to a degree put the balance in our favour.However commitment to the cause could be granted to the enemy for throwing them selves head first at the throat of the biggest super powers on the planet.
I agree whole heartly that cowards are calling the job. There more worryed about lossing face than winning the war.This is common through history, the question is. To establish the center is it not prudent to find a CIC with the balls to let his army of the leash. To do this I feel will soon bring the center into plain view. This as you may agree will require sacrifice,but by men and women who are prepared to do just that.
I feel there is one over riding element to this war that has not been practised to the full extent and has cost us dearly, 'Hearts and minds'. If we had won this early in the game the final try would be a lot easyer to score. Without it this is going to be a long drawn out affair with a questionable out come. As with all war this is the difference between winning and loosing the battle. The combatants may be dead and buried but what of the greatest units of all,local population. If there not with you it's time to leave plain and simple. In this case if we keep doing what we are doing,we will keep getting what we are getting. Body bags and little in results. We need to start from the beging. Basic training first day on the ranges.If we don't start watching our back stop were going to get no were. Finding the center of gravity in this my friend will take a change of power over here and some radical changes to our SOP's over there. Just my thoughts.

BAZZ

I concur with that BAZZ, I remember watching our troops entering Bagdad and hoping to myself that the concept of Liberators not Occupiers was prevelant in everyones mind. I'll never forget cringing when a statue of Saddam came down and a Marine climbed up and hung an American flag over his face... I'm to this day amazed the enemy hasnt used that footage as propoganda... I was happy to see that someone else was watching and the flag came down not more than a minute later.. a small event in a big war.. but definitly a Red flag to me that possibly not everyone involved understood the ultimate objective.

While I read and see that we're doing good things over there in the way of schools and what not, I can only hope were doing enough to countermind the enemies efforts.

_________________
When all else fails....

Vote from the rooftops

I believe the Center of Gravity of our current conflict is well hidden in plain sight; ISLAM. History has proved that fundamental Islam is violent and intolerant to Western values. The only questions left to be determined are;
1. Whether a "moderate" (non-violent) sect of Islam can either be defined or identified?
2. If so, are there potentially enough moderate Muslims willing to challenge their violent brothers in faith?

Only if the answer is "yes" to both these questions, do I see opportunities to avert Armageddon.

Specifically we should begin to shine a light upon the fundamentalist Sunni Wahhabism the Saudis are spending billions on to systematically export. We additionally need to shine a better light upon the call for murder and the death tenets being espoused by fundamentalist Shiites. If the full truth and extent of these teachings were to be better exposed, we might have a chance of saving more generations for being infected with these self-destructive philosophies.

A continued failure to do this would be like fighting the Japanese Imperialists of WWII, while forbidding anyone to refer to or say anything about the Japanese form of devotion to the Emperor. (MacArthur knew exactly what the Japanese "Center of Gravity" was and he dealt with it perfectly.)

It should be remembered that it is WE who are reacting to the hostilities brought against us by a determined foe who define their conflict and are motivated by no other terms but their religion. I think it's therefore hubris for anyone to somehow think (because we're militarily stronger?) that we can redefine the parameters of our conflicts in non-religious terms we're more comfortable with.

While certain violent tenets within Islam remain the center of gravity to our enemies, we had better adapt to this reality and begin specifically dealing with it, not only for our sake, but for that of all Muslims as well. Once the nukes start going off, all hopes and beliefs will cease in the same way.