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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Debka Updates on U.S. Marines Encircling Shi'ite Terrorists |
| 2004-08-15 |
| 8-16-04 DEBKAfile's military sources report: Behind news blackout, US forces in Najef inching forward to clear Shiite cemetery adjacent to Imam Ali Mosque of radical Sadrist Shiite fighters. Sadr is bombarded with contradictory decrees from Iraqi and Iranian Shiite clerics — some telling him to evacuate mosque, others to stay put. He plans to force prolonged US siege of mosque with intermittent claims of damage to shrine. Americans say Najef standoff will be decided by fatwas not guns. Opening of National Congress of 1,300 delegates from across Iraq was marred by protests against US-Iraqi offensive against radical Shiite cleric Sadr, boycotts and explosions in Baghdad. American forces complete encirclement of Sunni Triangle towns of Falluja, Samarra, Ramadi and Balad. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #6 Like so many others, Debka is okay when reporting facts, but falls on its face when doing analysis outside of its area of expertise. They really don't have a handle on American military and diplomatic schemes and maneuvers. Ironically, the US military may be one of the hardest to penetrate intelligence targets out there, the way it is compartmentalized. And on top of that, much of its upper ranks are inscrutable, as individuals. High ranking officers may just be familiar with the US Civil War; or they might just as likely know Dupuy & Dupuy, Clausewitz, Mahan and Sun Tzu by heart. And remember, foggy bottom, the US State Department, is run by a four-star general. I strongly suggest that for now the assumption should be that the philosophy of US foreign policy truly is "war by other means." These are the most dangerous men to walk the face of the earth for a long, long time. It would not be wise to mess with them. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2004-08-16 12:08:25 AM |
| #5 Wasn't Sadr complaining that he didn't have power or water? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2004-08-15 11:30:34 PM |
| #4 I have this feeling, real soon Sadr & his moth eaten thugs may not be able to read, hear or issue any further 'fatwas'. |
| Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-08-15 10:54:09 PM |
| #3 And do not forget the just-out-of-the-shop 40,000 lb MOAF: Mother of All Fatwas |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-15 10:45:07 PM |
| #2 Great name for the newest 'jihad-buster' weapons! The one ton 'Baby Fatwa' & two ton 'Fatwa Whale'! :) |
| Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-08-15 10:41:56 PM |
| #1 Americans say Najef standoff will be decided by fatwas not guns. Ok, how about some 2000lb fatwas !! |
| Posted by: crazyhorse 2004-08-15 10:38:19 PM |