So how come I never hear any news from "Basra"?

[Schema Thing]

Is the British military really that much more adept at building peace than the American military? Is living by the ocean really that calming?


ps... I know that Basra is not in a "Sunni" part of the country, but could that account for the huge difference?;)

[Warpy]

1. They don't even wear helmets

let alone body armor on their patrols.

They seem to know a helluva lot more about keeping the peace than our forces do.

[Ironpost]

5. I'm sure it is because they are not a bunch of jack booted thugs

[Warpy]

6. I refused to see these kids as "jack booted thugs, "

although I know their training is at fault and makes them appear that way to the Iraqis.

They're still our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, moms and dads.

I'd prefer to see the UK consulted in how to train our military to a peacekeeping role.

Obviously, what we're doing is not working.

[Ironpost]

8. Thats basically what I'm saying also

[Schema Thing]

2. No one else wonders about this?

[Tweed]

3. Well it's always been said that Basra is more mild

Even before we went in and attacked Iraq. Basra has a more secular tradition and since it is on the Ocean, it's much more of a port city with an international flavor to it.

There might have even be some British ties that existed still from when Britain controlled the area. I'm no expert though.

[hopein08]

4. Probably...

it is that the British are that much more adept at building peace than the American military. Anyway, here are my theories on why there is no news (in the MSM) from Basra...

A) White House ban on any news that doesn't portray the US in the rosiest of shades. Therefore, the news that the British know what the hell they are doing there is strictly forbidden.

B) The idea of "who cares what the British are doing? We're the ones that matter. It's our war for the liberation of the Iraqi people. The British are only there for looks."

But seriously, if you want news from there you should probably try the BBC at bbc.co.uk or the Guardian at guardian.co.uk.

[JPZenger]

7. Basra Was Very Oppressed

Under Saddam, Basra was one of the most oppressed areas of the country. Therefore, the people of Basra have benefitted much more than most areas of the country from the occupation. For example, Saddam regularly cut electricity to Basra just to keep them under control. Therefore, the people of Basra were used to inconveniences and their lives have improved.

The Kurdish areas had already won much of their independence before the U.S. invasion.

In comparison, the Sunni Triangle had received many benefits when Saddam was in power, so they had the most to lose and the most reason to fight the changes. In addition, the people of the Sunni Triangle have seen the most U.S. military intervention, which builds resentment.

[Ms. Clio]

11. No, they're not more adept, we just don't hear about them

They simply comprise a fraction of the "coalition forces," and they operate in a much smaller area. Dozens of British troops are facing accusations of abuse and torture, as well.

And don't forget it was the Brits who tried to occupy Iraq back in the early 20th century, and Churchill thought it was perfectly reasonable to use poison gas on those who resisted.

[Ms. Clio]

9. I googled, and found that Basra is hardly peaceful

Bomb kills Iraqi soldiers near Basra

Four Iraqi soldiers have been killed in a motorcycle bomb near the southern city of Basra, as violence elsewhere left another seven Iraqis and two US troops dead.

"The booby-trapped motorbike exploded as the patrol passed by. Four soldiers were killed and their vehicle destroyed," captain Farid al-Tamimi said.

The attack took place behind the general hospital in al-Risala neighbourhood, in the centre of Basra, the country's second largest city on Saturday.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/AA815B98-02D8-41B1-9B9C-F44FF4774C36.htm

Also, dozens of British soldiers are facing accusations of abuse and torture.

[spanone]

10. We ONLY hear what they WANT us to hear.