US Fighting a "Battle of Perceptions"

[kskiska]

General Says Iraqi Resisters Create False Impression of Strength

TIKRIT, Iraq, Nov. 9 -- The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq expressed confidence that American forces were winning the war against Baathist fighters and religious extremists with a combination of combat operations, civil works and support for new Iraqi police and civil defense forces.

But Army Gen. John Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command, said in an interview Friday that he was concerned about a surge of attacks against U.S. forces that have enabled the enemy fighters to create an impression in the news media worldwide that "they are stronger than they are."

"I am concerned about it from the point of view that there's an increased level of violence," Abizaid said. "I am not concerned about it from the point of view militarily that they can defeat us. However, this is a battle of perceptions. We need to understand that they are adapting their tactics . . . and also developing stronger organizational structures, and we've got to break into these structures and destroy them."

Abizaid said that commanders throughout the country remain convinced that Baathists loyal to former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein are their main enemy, with Izzat Ibrahim, one of Hussein's most trusted aides, playing an important role in coordinating attacks.

(snip)

But Abizaid said there was also evidence suggesting that some Baathists were beginning to coordinate attacks with Iraqi religious extremists and foreign fighters, particularly in the Fallujah area.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20191-2003Nov9.html

[kodi]

1. Abizaid sounds just like Willian Westmoreland in 1967

some of us are old enough to have heard all this before. and we remember the caskets arriving at dover air force base all thru the '60s, even if bush is hiding now the body bags (excuse me, transport tubes).


all we need now for a complete redux is kissinger telling us that peace is at hand.

[Racenut20]

2. Amen !!!!!

[dbt]

3. Advertising 101, General:

Perception Is Reality.

Now. What might Iraqis be perceiving about our presence in their country? Discuss.

:evilgrin:
dbt