Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now

Colonel right on Iraq, Afghanistan

Thank you for printing “What nations did U.S. build?” on Aug. 18. I taught U.S. history and current issues for 25 years. I cautioned my students to always consider the source.

So I researched Col. Gian Gentile’s background. Not only is he an Iraq combat veteran, he is currently the head of West Point’s History Department, so he is eminently qualified to have an opinion on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In my opinion, his assessment of those two conflicts was precise, eloquent and accurate. Mass amounts of blood and treasure have been expended on these two poorly managed debacles. As the United States withdraws, ever so slowly, future historians and interested citizens can evaluate how three U.S. presidents and their advisers continually made the wrong calls.

As a U.S. Army veteran, I applaud Gentile’s willingness to tell it like it is. However, this honesty will probably cost him a shot at that coveted star on his shoulder.

Ralph Fulp

Priest River, Idaho



Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-3815

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy