US tough tactics risk inflaming Iraq insurgency

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/GRA844499.htm

BAGHDAD, Nov 18 (Reuters) - U.S. forces in Iraq have launched their fiercest military campaign since major combat ended in May, but experts fear the aggressive "show of force" may inflame an anti-American insurgency rather than douse it.

In the past 10 days, fighter jets have dropped 500 lb (230 kg) bombs, satellite-guided missiles have been fired, and tanks have pounded suspected guerrilla hideouts in a display that may be spectacular but could ultimately backfire.

"I don't think this present campaign is going to produce what the Americans want, which is security on the ground for Iraqis and U.S. forces," said Phillip Mitchell of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

"It's only going to ensure that the population becomes more allied with the pro-Saddam, anti-American insurgency... The risk is that these sort of actions will actually inflame hatred."

more

[NNN0LHI]

1. Are all of the Iraqi kiddies still going to school...

...with 500 pound bombs falling all around them I wonder?

Don

[leftchick]

2. The US is playing right into the guerilla fighters hands....

They are doing more to create and solidify a huge resistence force against the US than they are doing to "root it out". Gee, I think this was predicted to happen about a year ago....

[Mikimouse]

3. It may be just the opposite..

I trust nothing on the surface, and it would be a fool's gambit to further provoke the resistance forces by bombing them the way we are now doing. In my opinion, the actual desired result of this 'tough' stance is to generate more resistance, and create a justification for a real massacre of the Iraqis, with a resultant permanent occupation of the country.In other words, "...we tried to do this nicely, and we tried to bring them democracy and peace, but they just wouldn't listen, so, sadly, we had to kill them in order to establish peacein the region..." Let the oli flow, boys!:evilfrown:

[malachi]

4. These tactics have been proven to work

so well in Israel and Palestine that our military brain trust has decided to use them in Iraq. Fuckin' brilliant. Also, how can one be an insurgent in their own country? I know, I know, some of the people killing GI's are from other countries but how does a 500lb bomb differentiate? Please don't tell me military imtelligence or laser technology.

[leesa]

5. Gee...ya think?

[priller]

6. Before the war, I heard many neocons say

"all these people understand and respect is force", and they felt that if we just showed how strong and powerful we were, opposition would melt away. It was the basic idea behind "shock and awe". Apparently the same notion is at work here:

Using tanks and other heavy equipment "provides overwhelming fire power and gives us the capability to make the enemy realise he is overmatched and should surrender"

Sorry, that didn't work during the war, and it won't work now. It's too late for a show of force to be effective. The anti-US forces in Iraq have shown they can strike back and make it hurt. All it will do is turn more Iraqis against us.

"The very small percentage of Iraqis who are bent on killing U.S. and British forces will never change their minds, they are immune from the hearts and minds campaign," said Ellie Goldsworthy of Britain's Royal United Services Institute.

"If the American forces go down an openly belligerent route there is a risk that more and more Iraqis will take up the belligerent route. There is a risk that this will make the situation even more dangerous for U.S. forces on the ground."

[pansypoo53219]

7. whackin a hornets nest

with a 2X4 always seems to work for most people.
right?
RIGHT?!?

[Mal]

8. Don't reckon it's for the Iraqies benefit,

but for the American voters. A show of strength, and hope they don't notice it's impotent

[htuttle]

11. Exactly!

Almost EVERYTHING the chimp does is for display purposes only. Going to the UN, statements on Israel, photo-ops with little brown children (right before he cuts their breakfast funding), this bombing campaign, etc, etc, etc...

It may be the very first war run by a PR agent. Other despots may have hired a lot of PR agents, but Bush has them running the show.

Almost everything Bush has been doing in that regard is for show. I've been somewhat baffled as to what they really expect to happen. There doesn't seem to be much *real* plan here except "baffle 'em with bullshit, and hope for the best".

[tabasco]

9. I think itis becoming absurd..

how these news outlets continue to report "since major combat ended" as if it were a true statement. Simply because our liar CINC stated that at a photo op doesn't make it true. It should be reported as "since Bush declared major combat over". There has been much more intense combat since the carrier landing than before.

[Warren Stuart]

10. In the Bible there was a story

About combatants, one was big and powerful the other was not. The one who wasn't used asymetrical tactics and defeated the more powerful opponent. It is one of the most cherished stories in the Bible.

It's the story of David and Goliath.

If only the alleged Christians, who are running our government would spend some time reading the Bible, they might learn something useful about the folly of "Shock and Awe".

What WOULD Jesus do?

[mediaman007]

12. In the summer of 2002

the military had war games to prepare for attacking Iraq. They brought back a former Marine officer to role play the Iraqis military. In the first day of the four day game, the retired Marine had destroyed most of the naval forces.

He did it by using unconventional warfare, the same that is being used now by the Iraqis on land.

Footnote: The navy/military decided to continue the games, even though they had been defeated. I guess they didn't learn too much from that excercise.