Goliath and David - Show of Force

If we have been watching television at all lately, we have noticed the show of force of the American naval ships in the waters near Iran. The war talk accelerates on both sides. Does this show of force work? If some instances, I would say "yes," most notably during World War II before the battle for the island of Iwo Jima. Clint Eastwood's film, Letters from Iwo Jima, a few months back features a compelling scene in which a young Japanese soldier emerges from a cave to empty latrine pots only to discover a massive fleet of American ships waiting in the water. The "shock and awe" power must have been overwhelming to the psyches of those men. They knew before the battle began that they had lost.

Today we are realizing that America's show of force is perhaps not so intimidating to our enemies as in the past. We remember the biblical story of Goliath and David. Goliath's show of force with his size and braggadocio must have also been intimidating to young David. Yet David simply filled his slingshot with small pebbles and aimed squarely for Goliath's forehead. We all know the end of that story.

I have said from the beginning of the war talk about Iraq (2002) we are in a war we cannot win by the show of force. It is a force that does not intimidate the enemy. The terrorists simply find new ways to kill and maim and undermine our confidence. As long as men and women are willing to blow themselves up for the sake of being martyrs, the war will continue. A show of force against an enemy who does not wear a uniform or play by the rules is destined to fail.