How the Romans Did It

How the Romans Did It

In the January 2010 issue of the AUSA's Army Magazine Historically Speaking section, there is an excellent article by BG John S. Brown, USA Retired, entitled "Drawing the Line: How the Romans Did It."

In it, BG Brown relates how the Romans maintained their empire for three centuries before it collasped. The article was written during the time that Obama and his advisors were in deep deliberations concerning Afghanistan. It is an excellent read, accessable at: http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/january2010/Pages/HistoricallySpeaking.aspx

The part that I want to highlight for your consumption and consideration is toward the end when the author calls upon the Roman Emperor Vespasian (A.D. 69-79) to offer advice to America during our present circumstances. The emperor highlights the difficulties and differences of Afghanistan and Iraq. If I understand the intent of the author, America's startegy in Iraq and Afghanistan under Bush's leadership was correct and the strategy under the Obama's guidance is suspect. Make up your own mind. Note: In the article, the “limes” are the limits of the Roman frontier.

"What advice might the ghost of one capable Roman emperor, Vespasian (A.D. 69–79) perhaps, offer us in present circumstances? He might say: Afghanistan belongs beyond the limes, being too alien, hostile, ungovernable and economically inconsequential to incorporate into our civilization. Bribe, intimidate or seduce the least objectionable mix of warlords to identify and extinguish threats to ourselves and our allies. Punitive expeditions should be violent and brief. We cannot rule the country, but we can ensure that no one objectionable to us rules in it either. Iraq is also alien and hostile, but more modernized and hugely significant economically. It would be a great place for an effective, heavily subsidized client government, without being too squeamish about the nature of that government—or unwilling to pass along from betting on one horse to betting on another. Over time, the soft power of our civilization might bring the people of Afghanistan or Iraq to actually embrace our values. At that time we might reconsider a strategic attitude towards them. Cultural change takes time. Meanwhile, don’t let our actual allies, those who do embrace our shared civilization and its values, stack arms and go soft. They should fully participate in their own defense and in those security initiatives from which they benefit."

I appreciate the author for not making a comparison between Vietnam and Afghanistan, because the ghosts of Vietnam have been exorcised and buried.

Thanks for reading!

COL Ed Griffin, USA Retired