The Untimely Recess
Type: Posts; User: T. Jefferson; Keyword(s):
The Untimely Recess
Apparently we have a different perception as to the consequences of major pull back in our force levels without the necessary Iraqi political and military structure in place. I would expect an...
Popularity Contest
by Victor Davis Hanson
Unfortunately I had the same thought, Nero fiddling while Rome burns.:(
I guess I was wondering if we could do an end run and maybe catalyze a ground up political solution. I believe that the USA...
If American political leaders are willing to admit that they underestimated the difficulty in political reconciliation in the Sunni / Shia conflict, what is the next step?
Seems to me that the same preference for top down structure that has served us well in the past is also part of the problem in helping to catalyze a workable political structure in Iraq.
Clearly...
If the goal is to demonstrate that effective military action will bring about fruitful negotiations, then this point needs further amplification.
I wonder what historical examples come to mind...
I believe that this type of program has been used successfully in the past as part of COIN efforts. The basic idea is to allow a community to protect itself, not to create a deployable...
If the Iraqi Accordance Front does end it’s participation, will that cause a collapse of the Maliki government?
The current government appears to be completely ineffective and taking a vacation...
What about “up or out?” I was under the impression that 2 pass-overs for promotion would pretty well finish an officer’s career.
You would think the left might wise up. Apparently Rathergate was not enough so now they have another farce – let’s call it Thomasgate.
:mad:The phrase “WINTER SOLDIER INVESTIGATION” comes to mind.
I have to agree with you that “crushing defeat” is excessive, yet both our enemies and any potential allies might well interpret it exactly that way. Seems to me that insurgency relies upon political...
Ship ‘em back to the world. We will be happy to buy for pennies on the dollar.:D
I would assume that the goal is only to purchase truly functional weapons. I understand that gun buy back...
Ripples of Retreat
If the concept could actually work in the real world, then I would agree that it would be cheaper to “buy out the insurgency.” It would appear that this tactic could be viable if the weapons supply...
Isn’t that what Hamas has just accomplished in the Gaza strip?
I would believe that for some jihadists the fight and own death is a goal in and of itself in order to attain heaven. However I think...
This should increase China's influence in both regional and world affairs.
Very true. :wry:
I really wish I even halfway believed Prime Minister al-Maliki.
If his government is as dysfunctional as news reports seem to portray, why would anyone accept this as a realistic statement?
Turkey has 140,000 troops on Iraq border, foreign minister says
I agree with Barnett’s basic point that our military is optimized for traditional, decisive conflict. In truth we need to be setup for both kinds of war. The majority of our efforts over the next...
Steve Metz:
Are you recommending a cordon sanitaire around the whole Islamic world? Who would you have police cyberspace?
Lastdingo:
You might find this article interesting.
The Right-Sized Army
I quite agree that the utilization of troops is also a critical factor. The lack of planning for the post combat phase in Iraq was inexcusable. Certainly there have been many lessons learned since...