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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Win Smith who wrote (176613)	11/30/2005 11:19:14 PM
From: bentway	Respond to of 281500

It's amazing how these guys can revise history and then immediately BELIEVE their own revision. I guess that what the Bushies mean when they say they're "making their own reality"!

To: Win Smith who wrote (176613)	12/1/2005 7:03:55 AM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

And the "surprise" thing is a total crock, as everybody knew what was coming, and when, everybody kept blabbing about the weather window. A long version: Of course they knew. But they didn't know WHEN. Would the US wait until they had more forces, and would the French and Russian efforts successfully thwart a Spring invasion and require the US forces to endure a hot summer waiting for more advantageous weather? And of course Donald Rumsfeld played a role. He's the Secretary of Defense. But he ALSO has to rely upon the guidance of his military leaders and present the President with the plan of action for Bush's approval. So Rumfeld asks.. What's the cost/benefit of waiting? He asks his advisors, both military and civilian, what the expected result will be if they conduct a lightning strike with a smaller force.. Rumsfeld made a calculated risk, and it turns out that it was a miscalculation (IMO), because it permitted the Iraqis forces to melt into the population without creating a perception of total defeat. A defeat from which the country could then be rebuilt with magnanimity and equality. Detained soldiers could be vetted and return to service in the new Iraqi army rather than sitting at home, heavily armed, pssed off, and unemployed. Yes, disbanding the Iraqi army was a serious mistake. And in retrospect, most strategists will give Shinseki credit for his strategy. Should Rumsfeld be sacked? Some would say "yes" (I have no opinion on it). While others would say "he broke it, he should be responsible for fixing it". This isn't the first in our history that a proposed plan of action resulted in a different outcome than originally hoped. But it's not "unfixable". With time, creative out of the box thinking, cultural understanding, and willpower (not to leave out financial and material resources), we can adapt and succeed with our intended goal. What we have to ask ourselves is whether the vision (a democratic and moderate Middle East) is worth the price we have to pay.. We also have to ask ourselves what EVEN GREATER PRICE we'll pay if we st on our @sses and do nothing, permitting Islamic Militants to maintain the iniative. Hawk