West cannot defeat al-Qaeda, says UK forces chief

[malaise]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11751888
<snip>
The West can only contain, not defeat, militant groups such as al-Qaeda, the head of the UK's armed forces has said.

General Sir David Richards, a former Nato commander in Afghanistan, said Islamist militancy would pose a threat to the UK for at least 30 years.

But he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show a clear-cut victory over militants was not achievable.

The BBC's Frank Gardner said the comments reflect a "new realism" in UK and US counter-terrorism circles.

[Robb]

1. Richards is worth listening to.

First Brit to command US troops since WWII. Solid record and an advocate for soldiers' welfare if ever there was one.

The "30 years" part, from him, is more troublesome than any comments over whether a "clear cut victory over militants" is possible. :(

[Kolesar]

2. Osama's Al Qaeda is wound down and the threat is from copycat groups

who are inspired by that mass murderer. I certainly don't agree with that BBC headline.

What is this supposed to mean?:

"The biggest problem's been ensuring that the governance and all the development side can keep up with it within a time frame and these things take generations sometimes within a time frame that is acceptable to domestic, public and political opinion," he (General Sir David Richards) said.

[xchrom]

3. i think he is right.

and we have to go directly to the people and help them improve their lives.

it's not rocket science -- hmmm yes -- rockets.

[grahamhgreen]

4. Maybe because we funded them in the first place!