As a military man, what do you see next in Iraq? Do we continue taking casualties at the current rate and hope for the best, or do we try something different?
As a FORMER military man, I don't believe in "hope for the best".
I believe in using our assets properly and with the greatest effectiveness with the focus upon disrupting and/or neutralizing the command infrastructure which is directing these attacks. I'm a firm believer in decapitation of command. It's relatively easy for a commander to send out his troops to die, so long as his own life (or that of his family) are secure.
The command structure of any resistance seeks to gain power and prestige for itself. It seeks to impose it's own will upon the society and geography.
And I believe we've made a crucial mistake (which can still be rectified) by excluding Arab allies from participating in stabilizing Iraq at the local level.
US forces should be focused upon maintaining integrity of the borders, the infrastructure, US and Foreign contractors, and providing necessary muscle when things get too unruly.
Turning US forces into policemen is a dilution of fighting strength, and makes US personnel easy targets for guerilla fighters. We must not permit ourselves to assume responsibility for rebuilding Iraq by ourselves. This is a local responsibility which we should willing to facilitate, oversee, guide, but not control.
And we should use our considerable propaganda assets to make this well known to the locals. "We stand ready to assist you, but you need to find someone who can be trusted to take charge, be tolerant of other local views, and to preserve order and stability at a local level.
That's my belief, Shiloh.. If we don't do those things, I'm going to be fearful that we needlessly suffer losses that should not occur.
Force people to assume responsibility for their own future and I think we'll all be surprised by how they opt to eventually work together. None of them, IMO, have any desire to see their societies torn apart by civil war.
But the overall theme must be that the US is demanding that the Iraqi people choose those who can perform, yet remain able to compromise and work together with other elements of the society.
Hawk |
