Erik Prince: Contractors, Not Troops, Will Save Afghanistan

[DonViejo]

By ERIK PRINCEAUG. 30, 2017

In 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor pulled the United States into World War II, a group of volunteer American aviators led by Gen. Claire Chennault known as the Flying Tigers fought Japanese aggression in China. They were so successful that many people believe they were decisive in holding back Japan, eventually leading to its defeat.

Although they were paid volunteers rather than members of the American military, they were not denigrated as “mercenaries.” The Flying Tigers — who now would be called contractors — fought for China and the United States and, like paid American contractors in theaters of war today, fought as bravely and patriotically as American soldiers.

As policy makers in Washington decide what to do in Afghanistan, they should keep the Flying Tigers in mind. Such a force could be just the solution Afghanistan needs.

The reasons are as obvious as they are compelling: Last week, President Trump announced his “new strategy” to end the war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history. But in promising to add more dollars to the more than $800 billion already spent, not to mention more American troops to the thousands already dead or wounded, President Trump’s strategy is sadly more old than new.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/opinion/erik-prince-contractors-afghanistan.html

[Phoenix61]

1. Narcisism runs deep in this administration

Comparing anything he would be involved in to the Flying Tigers is disgusting.

[mulsh]

2. This sales pitch marks a new low for the NY Times editorial page.

Why they're allowing anything by this slimy bottom feeder to grace the editorial page of the "newpaper of record" is beyond my understanding.

[JDC]

3. The comments section on this piece in the NYT points out the nonsence of this

in almost every single post.

[Skittles]

4. translation: waste your tax dollars on his company instead of the military