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2005-03-09 Home Front: Politix
David Warren: Feeding the wave
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Posted by tipper 2005-03-09 3:01:37 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 Warren hits a homer.
Posted by .com 2005-03-09 3:39:27 AM||   2005-03-09 3:39:27 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 The Bush strategy in the GWOT reminds me of Alexander the Great, or maybe Sherman in his march through Georgia (without the sacking and pillaging). The plan is to stay constantly on the attack, to keep the opponent backing up, unable to look where he is going, and to not give him time to re-organize. It makes sense when 1) your forces are grossly outnumbered and 2) your logistical capability is strong. And, it's easier to spot the bad guys when they're moving than when they are blending in with the civilian population.
So, as soon as Afghanistan was (more-or-less) under control, the fight was moved to Iraq. Now that Iraq, post-election, seems (more-or-less) under control, the fight will move ......??? Iran? Syria? Lebanon? Or, keep 'em guessing for now, and moving, and gather intel, and pick off a few key players.
Posted by glenmore  2005-03-09 8:16:47 AM||   2005-03-09 8:16:47 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 stay constantly on the attack, to keep the opponent backing up, unable to look where he is going, and to not give him time to re-organize
That's not Sherman, that's classic Ulysses S. Grant.
Posted by Steve  2005-03-09 8:35:59 AM||   2005-03-09 8:35:59 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Gives the slogan "the Arab street will explode if the Americans invade" a whole new meaning doesn't it?
Posted by GK 2005-03-09 8:39:36 AM||   2005-03-09 8:39:36 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Bush's strategy is even grander than Sherman and Grant's. Every move has used a new weapon. Afghanistan, SF, Iraq, regulars, Lebannon, media. In each case strengths were attacked directly, anarchic tribes, the fourth largest army in the world, al-Jezeera. He cannot realisticly do another invasion, politicly or logisticly. So the team in DC will come up with another idea to defeat an enemy by indirectly attacking its strength. They are being taken out one at a time, each in its own special way. Attacks Designed with the Enemy in Mind.

What it reminds me of at the moment is the civil rights movement. Assad's assasination of Harari ranks up there with the murder of the civil rights workers in Philadelphia Mississippi in 1964. Dumb move, really dumb. Bush is providing the apparent cover but it is really media supplied public opinion thatos the cover. Al-Jezeera has been turned on itself.

Bush really isn't in control of much because it is up to the indiginous population to decide to change things. So where next seems more a question of who's ready. Could be Viet Nam. Wouldn't that be sweet?
Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-03-09 8:46:32 AM||   2005-03-09 8:46:32 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Nathan Bedford Forrest. "Keepin' up the skeer."
Or the famous VDH on Sherman's march. The enemy had no idea what was happening because Sherman was always a step ahead.
"Let's set up a defensive line here."
"General, we just got word the Yanks are three miles behind us."
Posted by Richard Aubrey  2005-03-09 10:16:49 AM||   2005-03-09 10:16:49 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 The Sherman analogy reminds me of Liddy Harts analysis on war. Basically Sherman and others would march their army directly to the spot between two cities. The enemy could fortify one well, or both weakly. If they fortified one he'd take the other. If they fortified both weakly he could choose.

Nazi's did a similar thing on the Russia front which is how they swept so far East so quickly.

Now enlarge the scene. The US army is between two nations. Iran and Syria. Will Hezbollah split their forces or concentrate on defending one over the other. Hezbollah in Syria is not available to beat down Iranian protestors. Hezbollah in Iran is not available to beat down Lebanese.
Posted by rjschwarz  2005-03-09 10:21:12 AM|| [http://rjschwarz.com]  2005-03-09 10:21:12 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Verrrrry interesting, rjschwarz.
Posted by Barbara Skolaut  2005-03-09 2:12:27 PM||   2005-03-09 2:12:27 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 For a moment, I thought glenmore was talking about Democrats, hehe!
Posted by john  2005-03-09 3:40:56 PM||   2005-03-09 3:40:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Ask Warren about the bag of smarties. One of the most moving pieces I ever ate read.
Posted by john  2005-03-09 3:42:34 PM||   2005-03-09 3:42:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 The US army is between two nations. Iran and Syria. And the Head-bowlahz are between two armies, US and Israel.... Just a thought...
Posted by BigEd 2005-03-09 4:23:11 PM||   2005-03-09 4:23:11 PM|| Front Page Top

00:02 Deacon Blues
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