Article

2014-09-13 Iraq

Petraeus: Fighting ISIS In Iraq Is 'Doable' But Could Be A Nightmare In Syria

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Posted by Besoeker 2014-09-13 00:00|| || Front Page|| [10 views ] Top

#1 Describing himself as both nonpartisan and as a realist, Petraeus said he agreed with the general outlines of Obama's strategy for dealing with the terrorist threat in Iraq, calling the plan "doable."

Stopped short of saying he was...."ALL IN" for the Champ's plan did he ?

Posted by Besoeker 2014-09-13 01:08|| 2014-09-13 01:08|| Front Page Top

#2 the maligned Iraqi security forces shouldn't be underestimated

On the other hand, having folded like wet cardboard, they probably shouldn't be overestimated either.

Posted by SteveS 2014-09-13 02:50|| 2014-09-13 02:50|| Front Page Top

#3 They're not going to teach about you in military academies, general.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2014-09-13 03:57|| 2014-09-13 03:57|| Front Page Top

#4 General, you have to stop thinking about nation-building simultaneous to winning a war. You have to beat them into submission first, then you get to do what you want afterwards. such as nation-building in Iraq or elsewhere or even having affairs.

If the goal is destroying the enemy, wars will be far shorter. You won't end up with interminable wars. WWII was far more complicated with far more moving parts--both in a conventional war sense as well as a clandestine war. The leadership of the country also has to get off the dime and define this effort against ISIS as a war. Allies will be more likely to line up. Even though ISIS/ISIL/IS is growing it is still only a force of about 32,000 by CIA estimates. Don't over-think this thing and make it overly complicated. That doesn't mean don't be smart about it.

Posted by JohnQC 2014-09-13 07:44|| 2014-09-13 07:44|| Front Page Top

#5 Two words - Curtis LeMay

..after the rubble and glass, then maybe think about 'rebuild'.

Posted by Procopius2k 2014-09-13 10:11|| 2014-09-13 10:11|| Front Page Top

#6 Don't forget Air Marshal Sir Arthur 'Bomber' Harris, who, when asked about the destruction of Dresden, said he would do it again.

Posted by borgboy 2014-09-13 16:32|| 2014-09-13 16:32|| Front Page Top

#7 Fighting ISIS is like "whack-a-mole". The seed is in Saudi Arabia. Nation building should use MacArthur as the template.

Posted by irishrageboy 2014-09-13 17:07|| 2014-09-13 17:07|| Front Page Top

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