Originally published in The Southern Accent, Nov. 18, 2010

Retired U.S. Army Gen. B.B. Bell told students on Nov. 11 he is concerned about the state of U.S. national security due to its foreign policy, energy policy and national debt.

The convocation speaker also weighed in on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. During lunch, he shared more of his suggestions about the war in Afghanistan with a group of Southern Scholars and veterans.

Bell said the U.S. should give Afghanistan one year to become capable of defending itself and then withdraw from the country. He said the U.S. should then keep counter-terrorism strike forces at two specific bases for as long as the U.S. deems necessary.

Bell said the U.S. should make quick, in-and-out strikes against al-Qaida and affiliated Islamic terrorist groups wherever they are.

“We should not be tied down fighting long, extensive counter-insurgency wars with our conventional troops,” Bell said. “The Israelis learned this long ago. You go where the terrorists are, cripple or destroy them and get out. We should learn from their playbook.”

Noble Vining, a 92-year-old World War II veteran and Collegedale native, agreed with some points Bell made. However, Vining was concerned about what the results would be if the U.S. struck terror groups by quickly going in and out of countries.

“In-and-out has merit,” Vining said, “but will it create more enemies for us? What will be the reaction?”

Bell also said the U.S. “quickly gave al-Qaida sanctuary in Pakistan.” Ryan McCollum, a sophomore theology major, spent two years in Iraq and Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Army. He said he wasn’t surprised to hear Bell say al-Qaida was in Pakistan.

“Pakistan has been a safe-haven for Afghanis, not just al-Qaida, but Afghanis in general for as long as I know,” McCollum said. “It’s not like they really police their borders. People pretty much come and go as they please.”

Bell retired from the U.S. Army in 2008. Some of his 39-year career highlights include training and deploying NATO and Army troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, commanding the U.S. Army in Europe and commanding Allied forces in South Korea. Bell is currently a consultant for the Department of Defense. He and his wife live in Ooltewah, Tenn.