Tag Archives: Iraq

We’re not Spaniards yet

Posted on November 13, 2006 | Comments Off on We’re not Spaniards yet

President Bush, in this report from the usually unfriendly BBC, indicates he will be keeping his word on Iraq rather than calling in Iran and Syria to save his bacon.

"Mr Bush, answering questions after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, made it clear there would be no complete about-turn in US foreign policy…Iran must be isolated internationally if it continued with its uranium enrichment programme, Mr Bush said. He also showed little enthusiasm to engage with Syria, stressing that the US had already made it clear to Damascus that it should stop interfering in Lebanon and stop harbouring extremists."

Meanwhile, Austin Bay says the Baker-Hamilton Group is more about political cover for the Dems than any dramatic changes in policy.

"Then the military will continue to do what it’s been doing in Iraq and Afghanistan and the new Iraqi government will continue to learn by doing — and in the ordeal of war that will mean learn by bleeding, suffering, and sweating."

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Posted in Iraq, The War

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Sputtering Middle East fuse

Posted on November 12, 2006 | Comments Off on Sputtering Middle East fuse

While the Dems and Reps mull the election changes, and Rumsfeld cleans out his desk, Syria, Iran and Hez could be getting ready to move.

From Snoopy the Goon: "Alarming news from Lebanon (was) not unexpected: for months various Western sources predicted an attempt by Hezbollah and its Syrian and Iranian sponsors to take over the government. And now it has started to happen."

You would expect them to go after Lebanon, as they have contributed to the problems in Iraq. But then there’s the supposed leaks from the Baker group’s alleged plan to turn Iraq over to Syria and Iran. It better not be true. If it’s even close to accurate, and W goes along with it, he’d better find someplace else besides Texas to retire. Far, far away. 

Via SimplyJews

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Posted in Iraq, Israel, The War, Troops

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Why lose when you can win?

Posted on November 10, 2006 | Comments Off on Why lose when you can win?

"War is not poker; the stakes in Iraq are much higher than a little money or a few chips. But war’s psychology bears some resemblance to a well-played game of cards. The only way Americans lose this war is to fold. That seems likely to be the next move, but it is the last thing we should do. Far better to call and raise. Our cards are better than theirs, if only we have the nerve to play them."

Harvard law professor William J. Stuntz in the Weekly Standard. 

Via Instapundit 

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Posted in Iraq, The War, Troops

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Advisers

Posted on November 9, 2006 | Comments Off on Advisers

IraqAdvisor.jpg

The probable greatly-expanded future of the American military mission in Iraq, the advisery effort–photo explained in this in-house report from Central Command–is what was tried in South Vietnam, in a sort of half-assed way in the beginning, but with much more committment towards the end, and it was making a difference when Congress cut the last check. It ain’t easy, but it has the virtue of marrying light infantry to all that technology of ours, similar to what we did in the beginning in Afghanistan, but cheaper because no special operators are required.

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Posted in Iraq, The War, Troops

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Bush unfiltered

Posted on November 8, 2006 | Comments Off on Bush unfiltered

There’s no better time than after an election to see exactly what the president said, as opposed to the way the media uses his remarks to flesh out their narratives. Here’s one quote I have already seen truncated to the point of being almost unintelligible. Perhaps on purpose.

"I know there’s a lot of speculation on what the election means for the battle we’re waging in Iraq. I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made there. Yet I also believe most Americans and leaders here in Washington from both political parties understand we cannot accept defeat."

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Posted in The War

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Copperheads win

Posted on November 8, 2006 | Comments Off on Copperheads win

Get out your American history book to figure out the headline. Let’s just say, in 19th century Southern American vernacular, the war on terrorism could be about to go up the spout. Appeasement of dictators, group hugs and singing kumbaya with the French and the EU could soon be the order of the day.

"Okay, the House has flipped. How about the Senate? We seem to be moving into darker territory with every quarter-hour."

And impeachment–don’t let’s forget impeachment. The Democrats sure won’t. The American people seem either to want Bush’s head on a pike, or a standoff between him and Congress. It looks like they’ll be getting one or the other before next summer. Then, while the cat’s preoccupied with all those congressional hearings and subpoenas, the Jihadis can play.

Hysterical? Unwarranted gloom? Maybe. Bruce Bartlett at RealClearPolitics thinks so.

"Indeed, I think that Democratic control of Congress has the potential to rejuvenate Bush’s presidency, just as Republican control gave new life to Clinton’s."

We’ll know in a few months, when the investigations show trials begin.

UPDATE  On the other hand there’s Ralph Peters best-case prediction of what the party of Michael Moore will do. I think he’s way too optimistic. I also don’t see the point of sending more troops, which is not the way to fight an insurgency. But he’s right about the Iraqis having to get off their butts and eliminate Mookie and his thugs.  

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Posted in Civil War, Iraq, The War, Troops

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Tour of Iraq

Posted on November 5, 2006 | Comments Off on Tour of Iraq

Kurt Wheeler, history teacher from New York and Marine Corps reserve lieutenant colonel, looks like a good one to follow from his blog posts for the next year.

"ON THE WAY… After nearly four weeks of preparations, I am finally on my way to Iraq. I am writing this entry from a wifi spot in the Chicago airport en route to California."

Via Op-For 

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