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2008-07-30 Iraq

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Posted by tu3031 2008-07-30 11:05|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 This operation resembles some of the US operations in defeated Nazi Germany after VE day, where tens of thousands of US troops went house-to-house looking for weapons. This type of operation had to happen eventually, am glad the Iraqis are doing it.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2008-07-30 11:28|| 2008-07-30 11:28|| Front Page Top

#2 The U.S. military was providing intelligence, fire support and logistics

And these are the hardest part of modern military operational art to master. They are what seperates third world armies from western ones.

Once the Iraqis place the emphasis on this that we do, and train these branches up (as well as general staff officers), they will be well on the way to being the best and most professional military in the region.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-07-30 12:05|| 2008-07-30 12:05|| Front Page Top

#3 OS, as you know, probably better than me, the fire support is primarily a need for manpower, training and equipment. The intelligence and especially the logistics is affected by tribalism and corruption and will be the greatest challenge.

Not easy but necessary and worth the effort.

Posted by tipover 2008-07-30 12:48|| 2008-07-30 12:48|| Front Page Top

#4 Who in the Middle East sees a strong Iraqi military and police as a destabilizing force? Iran, the various gangs and militias in Iraq do for starters. But how threatened do the Saudis, Syrians, Jordanians,Turks, and even the Israelis feel? A powerful and rich(12mil barrels of oil per day and rising) group of Shiites and Kurds changes the lanscape considerably. Oh, democratic ones at that. There will be consequences. Any thoughts from OldSpook and some of the other experts?

Posted by Richard of Oregon 2008-07-30 16:45|| 2008-07-30 16:45|| Front Page Top

#5 A strong Iraqi military and efficient police force is very destabalizing for Iran and to a lesser extent Syria. I doubt the Gulf Arabs will have much of a problem with Iraq as their protector. As will Jordan, a much stable place than many assume. Saudi Arabia will be less happy, but I don't see Iraq meddling in SA internal affairs any time soon.

Posted by phil_b 2008-07-30 20:49|| 2008-07-30 20:49|| Front Page Top

#6 That should have read,

As will Jordan, a much less stable place than many assume

Posted by phil_b 2008-07-30 20:50|| 2008-07-30 20:50|| Front Page Top

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