Article

2005-01-08 Iraq-Jordan

U.S. General to Review Policy, Iraq Training

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Posted by tipper 2005-01-08 05:23|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Just what 150000 soldiers surrounded by 20 million sociopaths need.

Posted by gromgorru 2005-01-08 5:30:34 AM|| 2005-01-08 5:30:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 The vibes I'm getting say the Iraqi military buildup is not going well. Stands to reason, infiltration by Sunni mafia would create the same type of intimidation that goes on in the civilian population, and intel leaks would reduce the element of surprise in offensive ops. My $.02 says we should take advantage of our current quasi alliance with the Shias and Kurds. Consolidate their ability to protect and defend themselves in their native areas. Build up all-Shia and all-Kurd militias under the label of the ING. Make sure whatever happens we don't lose those areas. In the Sunni area, we should either radically increase or decrease our profile. Either abandon them to their fate, or ... scorched earth?

Posted by HV 2005-01-08 7:04:56 AM|| 2005-01-08 7:04:56 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 I say cut the sunni areas lose. If they cause troubles "burn um Danno."

Posted by Sock Puppet of Doom 2005-01-08 7:07:44 AM|| [http://www.slhess.com] 2005-01-08 7:07:44 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Like your plan HV. It could semi-stabalize the situation while efficient and loyal national forces are built up.

Posted by Shipman 2005-01-08 7:45:41 AM|| 2005-01-08 7:45:41 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Agreed. But perhaps, like in Afghanistan, it would be better to create the units as mixed Kurd and Shia, to start the people moving past the tribal mindset, and the potential for corruption when the troops are either among their own people (helping the brothers against the cousins) or in another area (what do we care about those other guys). Then when the Sunnis have become, perforce, reasonable, they can more easily be slotted into Iraqi units on an individual -- vetted -- basis. If the Iraqis cannot be moved beyond tribal groupthink, even as a federation the country will not hold together...unless another strongman of the Saddam (God forbid) or Tito (Yugoslavia. Somewhat better, but still not good) type grabs power.

Posted by trailing wife 2005-01-08 8:58:43 AM|| 2005-01-08 8:58:43 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 The downside is that it could easily lead to civil war and a division of Iraq into three parts after we leave. If we want to do that, we should have done it before or now at the latest. But there are a number of reasons it is a bad idea. Better is to cut the Sunni problem off at its source...Syria. I hope Luck is going over to assist in plans to reduce that problem in coordination with the Iraqi forces.

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-01-08 9:01:31 AM|| 2005-01-08 9:01:31 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 Why is civil war necessary? Iraq's government is yet to be made. The Iraqis could create a federation with different strokes of sovereignty for different folks: more sovereignty for the Kurds, a bit less for the shi'a south, and no separatism/sovereignty for the sunni triangle. Works for Britain: think of the Kurds as Scots, the shi'a as English, and the sunni triangle as Ulster.

Posted by lex 2005-01-08 9:25:49 AM|| 2005-01-08 9:25:49 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 I'd prefer to think of the Sunni areas as a bombing range.

Ok, done with my rant.

Posted by JackAssFestival 2005-01-08 10:03:02 AM|| 2005-01-08 10:03:02 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 The Army has had an established Lessons Learned system since the 1980s. Google Center for Army Lessons Learned. All operations and major training exercises are subject to observation, data collection and review in order to evaluate doctrine, tactics, policies, training, etc. In general terms, it is a feedback process to identify shortcomings and deficiencies, evaluate solutions, validate implementation and incorporation into organizational behavior. Its one of the factors in how you built the better fighting force you have today.

Posted by Cravising Flineck5757 2005-01-08 10:19:17 AM|| 2005-01-08 10:19:17 AM|| Front Page Top

#10 I can't help but to think that the Sunni issue will be Iraq's downfall. Don't know if it's possible to cut them loose, but seems to be worthy of consideration.

Posted by 2b 2005-01-08 11:16:24 AM|| 2005-01-08 11:16:24 AM|| Front Page Top

#11 Reminds me of a saying on the keychain I got when Mr. Davis left; "Men. Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em."

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-01-08 4:25:52 PM|| 2005-01-08 4:25:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 ? You can....just better make sure you aim well

Posted by Frank G 2005-01-08 4:36:38 PM|| 2005-01-08 4:36:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 And have an air-tight alibi.

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-01-08 5:21:28 PM|| 2005-01-08 5:21:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 Mrs. D -- does your keychain say anything about strangling, or drowning on a fishing trip? ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2005-01-08 7:23:15 PM|| 2005-01-08 7:23:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 yikes!

Er.... have we ever really seen that Mr.D. exists, and hasn't suffered a tragic "fishing trip" accident?

Posted by Frank G 2005-01-08 7:26:24 PM|| 2005-01-08 7:26:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 The MSM and Dummycrats are hyperventilating over this? Common, this is SOP.

Posted by Captain America 2005-01-08 10:46:13 PM|| 2005-01-08 10:46:13 PM|| Front Page Top

00:02 Mike Sylwester
23:58 Phil Fraering
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