tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post115979965660291514..comments2024-03-26T05:18:53.709-04:00Comments on Pen and Sword: Fools and Fanatics and IraqJeff Huberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159964324609389322006-10-04T08:18:00.000-04:002006-10-04T08:18:00.000-04:00We (at least I) can't really predict what Iran mig...We (at least I) can't really predict what Iran might or might not do, but I really don't think they would move into Iraq militarily, and I'm not so sure the Shia majority needs any help to, if it chooses, take out its Sunni opposition.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159962174781500302006-10-04T07:42:00.000-04:002006-10-04T07:42:00.000-04:00Perhaps an optimist could note that Kissinger's th...Perhaps an optimist could note that Kissinger's theory about the Iran-Iraq slaughter of the 80s was that it was unfortunate that both sides couldn't lose.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps seeing Sunnis and Shi'ites at each other's throats is not quite as bad as some may believe. The Kurds, who got the best oil fields out of Iraqi Freedom, are at peace. <BR/><BR/>The potential downside, of course, is that things may get so bad that the Iranans may move in to protect its Shi'a co-relgionists.<BR/><BR/>Of course, if you're Iraqi, this optimism may be somewhat over your head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159908705607529482006-10-03T16:51:00.000-04:002006-10-03T16:51:00.000-04:00300,000 is widely reported to be the present figur...300,000 is widely reported to be the present figure. It's been cited by both Centcom and the president. However, what is not often cited is the frequency of absentee soldiers. The rules, from what I have read, are very lax. Moreover, there are numerous reports of Iraqi soldiers refusing to deploy to other parts of the country -- something that has plagues Operation Together Forward or Operation Forward Together (OFT?) often.Bravo 2-1https://www.blogger.com/profile/05219307722101813302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159900851505099682006-10-03T14:40:00.000-04:002006-10-03T14:40:00.000-04:00"Alright, boys, line up for weapons! One for you, ..."Alright, boys, line up for weapons! One for you, one for you...! wait, go to the barracks next...! Don't you run away from me!"<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah. I thought it would come to this when they disbanded the army.Jeff (no, the other one)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04030611459552848949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159826127108402732006-10-02T17:55:00.000-04:002006-10-02T17:55:00.000-04:00Yes. And a recruiting drive just looking for bodie...Yes. And a recruiting drive just looking for bodies instead of quality. Not enough people to scan for quality (this is just my hunch). So, now we've created little militia wings of the Iraqi military. <BR/><BR/>A quick "standing up" of thousands in a tribal/sectarian culture.<BR/><BR/>More strategic brilliance.Bravo 2-1https://www.blogger.com/profile/05219307722101813302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159809546251217412006-10-02T13:19:00.000-04:002006-10-02T13:19:00.000-04:00300,000 armed Iraqis. Go figure.300,000 armed Iraqis. Go figure.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1159809143093731012006-10-02T13:12:00.000-04:002006-10-02T13:12:00.000-04:00Hold on a second... Think about this: we've traine...Hold on a second... Think about this: we've trained and equipped 300,000 Iraqis (at least) and the violence has increased. Is that a mere conjunction or is it causal? Maybe a mix?Bravo 2-1https://www.blogger.com/profile/05219307722101813302noreply@blogger.com