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2003-03-10 Iraq

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Posted by ISHMAIL 2003-03-10 04:53 pm|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 As I've commented earlier, I'm not brain-dead from the "peace camp vs anglos warmongers" tsunami here in french media and I think the US case for ousting Saddam is quite valid in the WOT agenda. Still, I'm not utterly comfortable with that coming war, as per this article : US forces will aim at minimizing both US and iraki casualties, while Hussein's best hope is to maximize them (and believe me, almost *every* main news outlet is eager for the Eviiil USA to prove once again their bloodlust and/or their inability to fight).
Basically, the two sides may not planning on fighting the same war; let's hope US leaders have already thought this out.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-03-10 03:08:04|| 2003-03-10 03:08:04|| Front Page Top

#2 Evan Thomas? Come on now...
OK, let's take it step by step...
A. Wired command functions--during GW1 massive efforts were made to take down Saddam's primitive wired TCP/IP network. It failed. Later, it was theorized (in Penthouse, no less!) that a careless re-routing of less than 1% of the US's illicit internet bandwidth would have rendered Saddam's data network useless. How 'bout it, guys?

B. Take fight to enemy option--yeah, he could try it but it would be pretty funny. Saddam's already retrenching his positions, and ours are well-established. Even a minute movement toward US positions would loose all heck.

C. chokepoints on the Euphrates--the original article in Newsweek addresses the bridge at An Nasiriya, near Basra. Of course, it assumes that US troops from Kuwait will run as the crow flies ~~like lemmings~~ toward Baghdad, through all sorts of nasty territory and into the enemies hands. NOT! Basra isn't called the home of the marsh-Arabs for nothing, it's horrible territory. There are plenty of other useful bridgeheads farther NW. If Saddam can swim the Tigris, then Americans can use snorkels on the Euphrates. Besides, the dry season is coming. Ancient Near-Eastern history, anyone?

D. WMD to defend Baghdad--nevermind the oxymoron of "Elite" Republican Guard, if Saddam looses weaponized anthrax in or near Baghdad, all we have to do is back off, quarantine the area, and wait. Besides, it seems as though Saddam is fortifying his home town rather then Baghdad. I'd anticipate a bunker scene with small caliber sidearms.

Posted by therien 2003-03-10 03:31:21|| 2003-03-10 03:31:21|| Front Page Top

#3 Maybe Evan Thomas could be Saddam's advisor on military operations. Could shorten the war some.

As I said before the Iraqi military commanders will worry us if they actually decide to manuever their forces. If they decide to dig in to fight it out in Baghdad, then once the US overruns the rest of the country, we will wait them out, while bombing and attacking their 'camouflaged' military equipment.

Please, please, please, keep your forces dug in, Iraq. It will help limit US/Brit casualties while maximizing your own. Please, make your units target rich environments. We have a whole generation of pilots who need the target practice.

Posted by badanov 2003-03-10 04:40:16|| [www.rkka.org] 2003-03-10 04:40:16|| Front Page Top

#4 Saddam tried to take the war to the allies in '91. He failed, horribly. As soon as the Iraqis began their push towards Khafji, we picked them up and started bombing them. They got some forces into the abandoned town, but they were cut off and had to retreat soon afterwards.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2003-03-10 08:11:13|| 2003-03-10 08:11:13|| Front Page Top

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