"THE DEATH OF ZARQAWI and the completion of the new Iraqi government have created a moment of opportunity for President Bush in Iraq. If the United States acts quickly to take control of lawless areas, improves security throughout the country, and wins a series of tangible victories, it might break the back of the insurgency. If we return to "business as usual" and the counterproductive Washington obsession with troop withdrawals, the moment will be lost. In fact, the quickest and only path to responsible troop withdrawals is visible progress toward victory over the insurgency and security in Iraq."
... this fellow recommends what many have recommended; when we clear out the insurgents, we hold and rebuild the town ... so far, we have left when the fighting's over ... this will take many more troops than we have in Iraq right now
5 comments:
It is unbelievable that we haven't been doing this all along! Have we had too few troops? Have we been too concerned with a mounting death toll? Why would we spend the time and blood to clear and not hold?
Why the hell haven't we done this all along and if we first start seriously doing it now, shouldn't something in the military brass answer for it?
This is a plan for clearing and holding:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/241kdhyv.asp
We’ve never had enough troops in Iraq or Afghanistan!
One problem with our system of government, which is also a blessing, is that our military generals work directly for civilians. Our "war on terror policy" mixes with our "war strategy". Those generals are doing exactly what they’re being allowed to do - and THAT"S IT! This is why I come down so hard on President Bush.
This is what Col. David Hunt means when he says, "they just don't get it!"
The belief that people want to be free is President Bush's driving philosophy. I agree with that philosophy, but it's misplaced with the Arabs and Islam. Jews are historically famous for fighting for freedom. Arabs are not. This doesn't mean I'm so prejudiced that I think Arabs can't be free; it means that the philosophy the Arabs live by (Islam) does not promote freedom.
Ann Coulter is correct! We need to "Christianize" the Arab! If that can’t be done, then its time we begin to obliterate ALL terror supporting nations. “THAT” would mean global world war, probably involving China and Russia!
I see President Bush's W.O.T. as a delaying tactic.
I've come to agree with your view that even if Arabs want to be "free" it is Islamic fundamentalism which will prevent it. I'm not sure that a secular Iraq will be allowed to stand even if the US has completely withdrawn. I think the Islamists see the stakes as being too high to allow democracy and freedom to flourish in the ME and throughout the Muslim world. We will know more definitively as we withdraw from Iraq whether the "great experiment" will work. Even if the effort fails, I believe it was worth it to try to avert the "all-out" war which could follow.
Re: Clearing and Holding
Somalia is a good example of the cancerous danger of Islamic jihad. It is the "failed states" particularly Muslim countries or their neighbors who are most at risk. The refrain from Somalia has been the same as I have heard from Afghanistan and Iraq: "We just want security." (Notice that they are not clamoring for freedom and democracy.) I'm afraid that this is not something the West (I wish I could say "Christian world") will be able to provide except at the traditional borders of the Christian and Muslim worlds. Thinking along these lines is depressing with regard to South Asia, the Middle East and Indonesia. In these areas, we don't have the numbers, the will or the fervor to "clear and hold." The next phase could be one of "clearing and holding" traditional non-Muslim countries where the jihadis are operating.
The Islamist modus operandi seems to be 1. Identify areas likely to be sympathetic to Islamic beliefs and promises. 2. Insert advance agents to raise and train Muslim militias. 3. Engage in paramiltary activities against the ruling secularists while either administering to or intimidating locals until Sharia can be established.
Observanda should identify the most likely future hot-spots.
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