Rand Paul: “we have been told on numerous occasions to expect a long and protracted war. This is not necessary if one can identify…”

“we have been told on numerous occasions to expect a long and protracted war. This is not necessary if one can identify the target, the enemy, and then stay focused on that target. It is impossible to keep one's eye on a target and hit it if we do not precisely understand it and identify it. In pursuing any military undertaking, it is the responsibility of Congress to know exactly why it appropriates the funding. Today, unlike any time in our history, the enemy and its location remains vague and pervasive. In the undeclared wars of Vietnam and Korea, the enemy was known and clearly defined, even though our policies were confused and contradictory. Today, our policies relating to the growth of terrorism are also confused and contradictory. However, the precise enemy and its location are not known by anyone. Until the enemy is defined and understood, it cannot be accurately targeted or vanquished. The terrorists are no more an entity than the Mob or some international criminal gang, such as the Mafia. It is certainly not a country, nor is it the Afghan people. The Taliban is obviously a strong sympathizer of bin Laden and his henchmen, but how much more so than the government of Saudi Arabia or even Pakistan? Probably not much. Ulterior motives have always played a part in the foreign policies of almost every Nation throughout history.”