The Master (Nation) Builder

SINCE the Vietnam War, many Americans have ridiculed the concept of “nation building.” They have rejected the notion of stationing the men and women of our Armed Forces overseas. They are wrong.

The purpose of the current war has been to destroy the Taliban, undo al- Qaeda, and drive terror-supporting dictators from power. So long as we keep within those limits, however, we are placing ourselves in the position of Israel—you kill so many of ours, we will kill so many of yours. But despite the superb Israeli military, that country’s war against Palestinian terrorists is now very old, with no end in sight. Sooner or later, wars must give way to politics.

SA

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Stephen E. Ambrose

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SINCE the Vietnam War, many Americans have ridiculed the concept of “nation building.” They have rejected the notion of stationing the men and women of our Armed Forces overseas. They are wrong.

The purpose of the current war has been to destroy the Taliban, undo al- Qaeda, and drive terror-supporting dictators from power. So long as we keep within those limits, however, we are placing ourselves in the position of Israel—you kill so many of ours, we will kill so many of yours. But despite the superb Israeli military, that country’s war against Palestinian terrorists is now very old, with no end in sight. Sooner or later, wars must give way to politics.