Training Iraqis and Afghans to maintain western-style security is a waste of time and U.S. military leaders are so afraid of offending people that they refuse to do what's necessary to win.
That's the thesis of a very blunt book by former U.S. Navy SEAL Carl Higbie, entitled "Battle on the Homefront: A Navy SEAL's Mission to Save the American Dream."
Higbie tells us of his two tours in Iraq and the stunningly inept Iraqis he was ordered to train.
"It was unfathomable how dumb the people were over there," Higbie told WND. "It's difficult to get them to do basic tasks such as reading a map or doing jumping jacks. And we're giving them guns!"
He says simple concepts are impossible for them to grasp, so expecting loyalty to a Western nation or thinking they will comprehend a security strategy is a waste of time.
"They don't reason like us, they don't think like us. They're not capable of learning complex things, especially loyalties to Western democracy."
Higbie served in Iraq under President Bush in 2007 and in 2009 under President Obama. He claims there was a "night and day" difference in policy, including the Obama administration directive that U.S. troops not carry live ammunition.
"They want to tie your hands as soldiers so they don't have an 'incident.'"
Higbie says these rules of engagement are handcuffing our forces and preventing them from winning wars.
In fact, the ex-SEAL saves his harshest criticisms for military leaders for agreeing to wage a culturally sensitive war to win hearts and minds rather than kill our enemies.
"We need to fight to win or come home."
He specifically lashes out at Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, calling him a "moron" for not fighting to change policies on joint security patrols in Afghanistan until Afghans had killed more than 50 of our own troops.
Higbie recounts how misguided rules of engagement put his own life in danger, how his book led to his dismissal from the U.S. Navy and what the response has been from officers and enlisted personnel.