The New Hannibal

There’s little doubt in my mind America’s reason for going to war in Iraq in 2003 was to take the fight to the enemy. The Offensive has been the key to victory in countless wars since ancient times and into the Modern Age. Napoleon was the great practitioner of offensive warfare, and is often considered the Father of Modern War. In 1940 Hitler’s mobile tank armies easily overran the more numerous allied armies who expected a repeat of the static combat of the Great War. The German blitzkrieg tactics ran rings around slower thinking generals who had too much faith in defensive war. The offensive was later turned on the enemy with great effect by General Patton in France, against the Arabs by the Israelis, and by America in two wars with Iraq.

Throughout the Clinton Era, so called experts predicted a new “Age of Barbarians” with terrorists armed with nuclear bombs holding entire countries hostage. These alarmists prophesied a “Fortress America” with citizens fearful to leave their homes, and armed guards patrolling the streets. President Bush has effectively bypassed this defensive mentality by invading Afghanistan and Iraq (but only after being provoked by 9/11). Skeptics have not only used this offensive policy to blast the administration, but have resisted even the minimum security measures at home which they once claimed to be necessary to fight the terrorists.

Those who continue to blame America’s presence in Iraq as the reason for the terrorists being there are misguided. They were there long before we came, and if not for the Army, would be here in America as well. President Bush positioning the military in the heart of enemy territory may be the greatest strategic move since Hannibal crossed the Alps.