Reply #6: Counter terrorism is one part of counter insurgency [View All]

First two witnesses said that counter insurgency is a war. Counter insurgency manual says that the rule of thumb is that 500,000 to 600,000 troops are needed. (Nagl wants 400,000 Afghans and says that would take 5 years. Nagl says that we would spend the number of troops and money.

Kerry is questioning if you can fight a counter terrorism effort, rather than counter insurgency. Nagl says counter terrorism did not work. Kerry argued (and Nagel agreed ) that AQ is NOT in Afghanistan and that Pakistan is starting to do better. Kerry agrees Pakistan is essential.

Steward argued that increase effort in Afghanistan hurts in pakistan - driving up problems there and increasing anti- American sentiment because they see it as occupation of Afghanistan.