Article

2004-05-02 Iraq-Jordan

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Posted by Steve White 2004-05-02 12:04:21 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 At some point in time soon, I'd like to see this Iraqi force senbt in to go get those insurgents still remaining. If they do the job capably, fine, consider it for use in other locations. If not, then no more pussyfooting around. Send in the Marines full-bore and do what has to be done to kill off whoever is left, and if that includes flattening the remaining area, then do it and do it immediately. The sensitivity approach isn't paying off where it needs to.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2004-05-02 1:48:45 AM|| 2004-05-02 1:48:45 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 So they have given up the southern section. This has been a really interesting time. I hope the jibadies get wacked. If not it's pay later. But then again it's their dirty carpet.

Posted by Lucky 2004-05-02 2:08:22 AM|| 2004-05-02 2:08:22 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 This is a case of the Marines preempting the State Dept. The "Fallujah Brigade" is a fig leaf. If they can't or won't deal with the bad guys, the Marines are still in Grim Reaper formation ready to mow them down. The big advantage is it forestalls any half-baked notions that might have come out of State.

Posted by RWV 2004-05-02 2:23:55 AM|| 2004-05-02 2:23:55 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 By the way, I hope the Fallujah Brigade is taking pictures of all the celebratants so they know who to shoot later.

Posted by RWV 2004-05-02 2:25:18 AM|| 2004-05-02 2:25:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 This whole thing still confuses me. On the one hand it makes sense for Iraqis to start taking responsibility for security. But I don't trust them. This Iraqi general could just set up his own little mafia fiefdom in Fallujah. If the towns are to be off limits to Americans, what's to prevent this "model" from degenerating into little fiefdoms ruled by local warlords everywhere? And BTW, is Sadr now going to be the warlord/ mafia don of Najaf?

Posted by virginian 2004-05-02 8:37:29 AM|| 2004-05-02 8:37:29 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Big, big mistake letting Iraqis take control of Fallujah security. There is a proverb in arabic (but it really should be among muslims)that goes like this: Me and my brother against my cousin, my cousin and I against a stranger (in this case infidel). #5 is right: Never, ever trust a muslim, even if he/she looks to be on your side. Always count on him/her to revert back to tribal-brotherhood-islam loyalty garbage.

Posted by Anonymous4617 2004-05-02 8:50:21 AM|| 2004-05-02 8:50:21 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 I don't see the logic of this. My understanding is months ago the Army pulled out of Fallujah to allow the locals to be in charge of security. The result was we had no control of the city and this eventually led to the murder of the four contractors. Now it appears we're following the same model. I understand the reluctance to fight in the city - it would be a military victory, but a public relations disaster - but I have zero faith in the Iraqis policing themselves in this area.

Posted by Dakotah 2004-05-02 9:06:23 AM|| 2004-05-02 9:06:23 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Straight out of the Small Wars Manual. But I don't think the USMC has ever done a small war thing in an arab state. May need to update the SWM.

Posted by Shipman 2004-05-02 12:21:35 PM|| 2004-05-02 12:21:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 #7 Dakotah

"My understanding is months ago the Army pulled out of Fallujah to allow the locals to be in charge of security."

Can you now see the similarity with the Israeli experience that led to Jenin?
One must come to terms with the Levantine mentality.

Posted by Cynic 2004-05-02 1:21:47 PM|| 2004-05-02 1:21:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 In case some of you haven't, check out....

http://belmontclub.blogspot.com/

It may have a calming affect....

Posted by WUZZALIB 2004-05-02 2:11:21 PM|| 2004-05-02 2:11:21 PM|| Front Page Top

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