Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Let's Talk About the War -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: D. Long who wrote (131)	3/28/2003 2:51:10 AM
From: bela_ghoulashi	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 486

War Report Jonathan Rhodes 27 March 2003 consolidation/preparation * Supply Problems: * Pockets of Resistance: * Redeployment of Forces: * Reconnaissance: * Fight for Public Opinion It was quiet today - too quiet. The great battle is yet to come. Saddam feels the pressure of being trapped. Iraqi diplomats at the UN- soon to be ex-diplomats - hoping to shape world opinion, are setting timelines and threatening US deaths in Baghdad . We recommend you pay no attention to that. Take a step back and reassess. That is what the US Military is doing. Unfortunately, that leaves a news void - that will be filled with hyperbole and fantasy. Here is what we are and will be hearing - and what it really means: Supply Problems: In the normal course of events, after a rapid advance in severe weather, men and equipment need to be mended. You will hear about supply "problems" but they are problems that are expected - and being solved. In the course of that resupply the enemy will attack the supply lines. We will attack the Iraqis by air, the Iraqis will use ground elements because they have been denied use of the air. The supply troops will get lost, run into mines and get ambushed by regular and irregular troops. US troops are moving in to protect the logistics train. The press will try to interpret this as dramatic and problematic. Some, still living in the Vietnam era, will call the pause a quagmire. It is neither. It is normal - in war. Pockets of Resistance: Enemy elements that were missed in the initial assault to the outskirts of Baghdad continue to be hunted and killed. You will hear about "fierce fighting." In fact, it will be fierce, up close and personal. It could be easy - but we have decided to preserve Iraqi life and infrastructure in order to win the peace. Knowing this, the enemy will use civilians and civilian installations as shields to deny the US use of massive force. The press will interpret this as Iraqis fighting for Saddam. They will be wrong. These will be Iraqis fighting for their lives, faced by US troops in one direction and Saddam's death squads in their rear. Redeployment of Forces: This was the big news with the 173rd Airborne 1000 man airdrop in the north, and the false reports of Iraqi armored counterattacks. The 101st Airborne is in full gear with clear skies and moving up to join the 3rd Infantry outside Baghdad. These are essentially redeployments for the anticipated next phase. The 173rd suffered no casualties. The Iraqis were decimated once they came out of hiding. Expect lost Iraqis to try and rejoin their units - exfiltrating north and east. Movement will cause previously hidden troops to be seen. Many will be killed, captured or surrender. Some will make it back. This will again make news because small unit firefights will break out as these troops and units are engaged. The press will interpret this as major battles, Iraqi advances and attacks. They will be wrong and the Iraqis will be killed. The next phase: In the north, massive air supply, including armor, is anticipated. A C-17 Globemaster can carry one M1-A1 Abrams tank or three Stryker wheeled armored attack vehicles. The 173rd is providing security for the airbases. Although lightly armored, they also can be used in the attack. The heavy 4th Infantry may appear on the attack from the north, from the west, or follow on from the south. Regardless, the airbases long established in Kurdish northern Iraq are operating beyond capacity and a considerable force will soon be available from that front. There is no reason for Tommy Franks to rush into Baghdad. We control 80% to 90% of Iraq and have the luxury of building whatever force needed to achieve victory. The quietest sector is the western desert - where Bedouins and camels rule - where the enemy is not. Watch this area with great interest. A large US force there could easily be hidden from Iraq's limited reconnaissance abilities. Eastern Jordan has been closed to the civilian population for several weeks, and regardless of what Jordan says, US troops have open access to western Iraq through Jordan. Reconnaissance: The Iraqis will probe, from the ground because they have no air. They will seek out small battles to find out where our strengths and weaknesses are. (tactical probing of the lines). There may be movement in the southeast near Al Kut. The Marines and Brits may go there soon - or not. Watch the use of US air power. Strategic air power will be used prior to employing ground troops in the advance. The weather has cleared and is forecast as clear until April 5. On the Homefront the most important issue is the fight for public opinion. Stratfor has said it well: Over the next 24 hours, expect to see a large number of media stories with two themes -- the logistics foul-up for the 3rd ID and Marines and that the fighting was much heavier than reported. The former will result from inexperienced reporters who have seen what they think is chaos in resupplying units, coupled with interviews with troops griping about the service. In addition, when interviewing combat soldiers on a badly needed break, griping and heroic bullshit are ancient rites and traditions. Reporters listening to this will conclude that all rear-echelon personnel are hopeless screwups and every engagement was the Battle of the Bulge. With reporters present, the tales will become mighty indeed. Investigate reports with a jaundiced eye. efreedomnews.com