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2003-11-13 Iraq

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Posted by Rafael 2003-11-13 8:24:16 AM|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Based on the last two years, this report included, one can conclude two things about the CIA:

It's rarely accurate.

It's not working for the United States government.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2003-11-13 9:58:27 AM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2003-11-13 9:58:27 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 "More Iraqis are "flooding to the ranks of the guerrillas." Many of these Iraqis are Sunnis who had previously been "on the sidelines" but now believe they can "inflict bodily harm" on the Americans.
â¢ Ammunition is "readily available," making it much easier to mount attacks"

Im not sure this is wrong. It doesnt say that most iraqis support the Baathists, or even that all Sunni Arabs do. It DOES say that larger number of Sunni Arab fence sitters are moving towards the Baathists. Given that Sunni Arabs make up about 20% of the population, that could mean about 10% of the population supports the Baathists now, versus say less than 5% a few months ago. Thats not Viet Nam. or quagmire, but it IS a big problem.

Theyre also saying ammo is readily available - this seems to be true - whether its cause we dont have enough troops to go after all the ammo, or dont have the intell, is another question. But certainly Saddam left behind HUGE stocks of ammo,perhaps with the intention of making possible this very thing, and its a problem.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-11-13 11:02:33 AM|| 2003-11-13 11:02:33 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Three steps that won't solve the situation overnight, but should help calm it down a whole lot...

(1) Immediately negotiate with the president of South Korea for the commitment of a division-size force of ROK Marines.

(2) After the ROKs have a chance to get acclimated, select a particularly nasty operational area such as Fallujah. Remove the US troop contingent, replace with the ROKs (and most importantly, remove all media personnel.

(3) Wait one month, then return and ask the locals if they're ready to be good, cooperative citizens. Since anyone with knowledge of the ROK Marines' rep knows they'll say "By Allah's beard, yes, PLEASE!!", replace the ROKs with the original US unit, and move the ROK's to the next hot area.

Posted by Jeff 2003-11-14 12:09:53 AM|| 2003-11-14 12:09:53 AM|| Front Page Top

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