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2007-02-05 Iraq
Officers With PhDs Advising War Effort
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Posted by Sherry 2007-02-05 17:12|| || Front Page|| [10 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 This just amazes me. This is "thinking out of the box" writ large. I am positively surprised at such nimble thinking. Perhaps it has taken too long to get to this point, but still, actions such as these reflect an open mind.
Posted by remoteman 2007-02-05 18:02||   2007-02-05 18:02|| Front Page Top

#2 If he can successfully redefine how to fight an insurgent war with a small force, I would expect his name to eventually be as well known as Colin Powell. Maybe even end up at the Joint Chiefs eventually as well.
Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-05 18:15||   2007-02-05 18:15|| Front Page Top

#3 So Kerry was right, if these PhD's had gotten a decent education they wouldn't ... OK, so Kerry is an idiot.
Posted by DMFD 2007-02-05 18:26||   2007-02-05 18:26|| Front Page Top

#4 That's good, maybe the MSM and liberals won't dare criticize the Army Intelligentsia!
Posted by SwissTex 2007-02-05 18:50||   2007-02-05 18:50|| Front Page Top

#5 Petraeus for Prez in 2012!
Posted by Parabellum 2007-02-05 18:51||   2007-02-05 18:51|| Front Page Top

#6 Didn't McNamera bring in a bunch of eggheads? ;-)
Posted by Brett 2007-02-05 19:01||   2007-02-05 19:01|| Front Page Top

#7 Don't care how good his is, his principle enemy is in Congress and I don't think he can beat those guys. They will keep ankle biting thill he fails.
Posted by kelly 2007-02-05 19:08||   2007-02-05 19:08|| Front Page Top

#8 Mac's eggheads were corporate, not military.
My guess is if you make a really smart warrior scared, he'll kill all of you twice before he rests.
Posted by wxjames 2007-02-05 19:10||   2007-02-05 19:10|| Front Page Top

#9 Petraeus wrote the Army's new counter-insurgency manual. Significantly, his co-author was a Marine general. The Army-Marine joint ops from Fallujah seem to be drawing some of the best from both services.

IIRC Petraeus' dissertation was on mistakes the leadership made in Vietnam. He's given some thought to this whole business, but let's see what he can do given the mess over there and at home.
Posted by occasional observer 2007-02-05 19:27||   2007-02-05 19:27|| Front Page Top

#10 I am positively surprised at such nimble thinking.

But we're known for it.
Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-02-05 19:53||   2007-02-05 19:53|| Front Page Top

#11 I wonder if Petraeus tapped Gen Mattis for any of his insight - man, talk about a bushido master.
Posted by Broadhead6 2007-02-05 20:53||   2007-02-05 20:53|| Front Page Top

#12 Having a brain trust like that on hand would seem to be a tad overkill for Baghdad. However, it can have all sorts of uses.

They would be just perfect for a "field evaluation" of Iranian conflict plans. If that is the case, then it would be eerily reminiscent of the old German general staff.
Posted by Anonymoose 2007-02-05 20:56||   2007-02-05 20:56|| Front Page Top

#13 NS, yes we are known for it, but it is a great confirmation to see it being done in such a high profile fashion.

I do hope that the many Iranian agents/other connections are dealt with in a very strong manner.
Posted by Remoteman 2007-02-05 21:53||   2007-02-05 21:53|| Front Page Top

#14 is assembling a small band of warrior-intellectuals, "Petraeus guys".

sigh. Nothing worse than a small group of eggoheads who are told to think outside the box and come up with a new and improved plan.

How about some good ol' common sense tried and true warriors willing to get their hands dirty to win the war rather than those who just want to sip brandy and talk a good game about what could happen if this were a board game.

Let's hope this group will be the exception instead of the rule.
Posted by Shineling Thronter4132 2007-02-05 23:34||   2007-02-05 23:34|| Front Page Top

20:15 Sheamp Ulealing2367
23:53 anonymous2u
23:49 trailing wife
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