Intelligence Squared US (IQ2US), the Oxford-style debate series, an initiative of the Rosenkranz Foundation, hosted a timely debate on Tuesday evening on the important issue of America’s future in Afghanistan and Pakistan. A distinguished panel of military and foreign policy experts debated the proposition “American cannot and will not succeed in Afghanistan/Pakistan.” At the evening’s conclusion, the team arguing against the proposition had moved a significant percentage of the audience to their point of view.
At the start of the debate, the audience at NYU’s Skirball Center seemed inclined to agree with the motion with 48% voting for it, 25% against and an additional 27% still undecided. At the debate’s conclusion, a sizable portion of the crowd shifted to side with the team opposed to the proposition. The final vote showed 43% in favor of the motion, 45% against it and 12% were still undecided.
Robert Rosenkranz, the founder of IQ2US, welcomed the audience and noted the timeliness of the debate taking place as the President and the nation consider what to do about sending additional troops to Afghanistan and defining our strategy in the region.
The evening’s winning team argued against the motion and included Steve Coll, President and CEO of the New America Foundation and a Staff Writer for The New Yorker. He was joined by John Nagl, the President of the Center for a New American Security and a former U.S. Army Officer who retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and James Shin, who served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia from 2007-2008 and was National Intelligence Officer for East Asia prior to this.
On the other side, arguing for the motion was Steve Clemons, who directs the American Strategy Program for the New America Foundation. He was joined by Patrick Lang, a retired Senior Officer of U.S. Military Intelligence and U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret) and Ralph Peters, a retired Army Officer and an author who writes a regular column for the New York Post.
Highlights from this debate included:
“We have made an extraordinary investment already … many of my friends, your sons and daughters, your friends who are out making that investment. The best chance for a positive return on that investment is a secure and stable Afghanistan, a secure and stable Pakistan. Objectives that all of us here agree are of vital national interest to the United States, but should be accomplished, and it is within the power of the United States to accomplish. It is my personal belief that the best way to accomplish them is through a properly resourced counterinsurgency strategy…that is the approach advocated by General McChrystal; it is hard… but hard is not impossible.” - John Nagl
“If we cannot articulate the mission, and the end state, how dare we send more young men and women in uniform because we won’t force ourselves to answer the fundamental question of what…why…are we there and what, concretely do we expect to achieve.” - Ralph Peters
“…the fundamental question is…do we have a reason to be there (Afghanistan/Pakistan), can we through this kind of discourse find the right strategy to succeed, I think…yes…we’ve answered that question, all of us.” — Steve Coll
“America will not succeed in Afghanistan and Pakistan unless it gets its act back together both on the questions of management and strategy, both of which it has failed miserably in over the last eight years with regard to this challenge.”- Steve Clemons
John Donvan, correspondent for ABC News Nightline, is moderator of Intelligence Squared US debates. Dana Wolfe is the executive producer.
To view transcripts and videos, download audio or learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. please visit: www.intelligencesquaredus.org.
About Intelligence Squared US:
Launched in September 2006, the goal of Intelligence Squared US, an initiative of the Rosenkranz Foundation, is to raise the level of public discourse and promote a realization that, on contentious issues, those who challenge the conventional wisdom have intellectually respectable and often persuasive viewpoints. We encourage citizens to “Think Twice” about their opinions and participate in the conversation, and we provide a forum for balanced discussion that transcends emotion and ideology. Through an annual series of 10 live Oxford-style debates, IQ2US brings together experts and audience around public policy and cultural issues. In fact, the live audience participates in each debate by voting on the propositions at the top and bottom of the debate evening.
About the Rosenkranz Foundation:
Founded in 1985 by Robert Rosenkranz, the mission of the Rosenkranz Foundation is to encourage fresh perspectives and innovation in public policy, higher education and the arts. Beyond IQ2US, the Foundation pursues its mission by supporting various think tanks, universities, and the arts, with an emphasis on Asian art.
Contacts:
Contact for Intelligence Squared US
Eileen Murphy, 917-913-2233
eileen@eileenmmurphy.com
