Hi all; A reminder:
Bilow, July 14, 2003
...
What's going on is that the generals have been told to reduce US combat deaths, and to reduce the amount that they piss off the locals. Operationally, that means that US troops have withdrawn from regions that are particularly dangerous. So far I understand that we have withdrawn from Fallujah as well as the university campus where we recently had a man killed. Naturally, the Iraqis, seeing our withdrawal, conclude that they should attack us in other areas, so that we will withdraw from them too. So the result of the retreat is not a decrease in US deaths, but instead a simple decrease in the amount of territory that we control.
These withdrawals give Iraqi rebels territory to run as they see fit. The eventual effect will be "major" battles, as the Iraqis regroup in these territories. The Israelis have already gone through the same cycles of occupation / retreat many times. Our only long term solution is to retreat completely, a tactic that is not available to the Israelis. By the way, when the first major "post war" battles erupt, Bush's declaration May 1st will look even more stupid.
... #reply-19110111
-- Carl |
