| July 30, 2007 Edition |
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How to Win in IraqWilliam S. LindThe American Conservative Among the bits of lore of the United States Senate is a story that dates back to before I arrived there in 1973 as a staffer to Sen. Robert Taft Jr. of Ohio. A senator-from New York, perhaps-known for depending wholly on his staff while treating it with contempt, told his assistant for foreign policy, "I want to give a major speech on the Vietnam War tomorrow morning. Stay here all night and write it." With that, the senator headed out for a Capitol Hill reception rich with giant shrimp and large checks. The staffer did as he was bidden, despite the fact that it was his anniversary, and his wife had made grand plans. The next morning, the senator found the text of the speech in his inbox. Snatching it eagerly, he proceeded directly to the floor of the Senate. His voice booming, he laid out a brilliant and incisive analysis of the war. At the bottom of the seventh page, he proclaimed, "I will now lay out my plan for winning the Vietnam War." Page eight began with the words, "Now you're on your own, you S.O.B. I quit." At the risk of finding myself in the same situation, I offer my plan for winning in Iraq. The starting point, despite the disastrous course of the war to date, is to realize that the only possibilities for victory lie at the strategic level, not the tactical level. In part this is because we have botched the tactical level beyond redemption. While the efforts of General Petraeus and the Marines in Anbar province to apply classic counter-insurgency doctrine and protect the population instead of brutalizing it are laudatory, they come too late. Full Story |
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| PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES, EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS |
They Don't Really Support the TroopsWeekly StandardWilliam Kristol Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier who was killed in Iraq, emerged on the American political scene two years ago. Distraught and unstable, she was shamelessly exploited by opponents of George W. Bush and the war while such exploitation seemed to pay political benefits. When she became an embarrassment, she, like others before her, was tossed onto the trash heap of history by her progressive minders. Sheehan was useful to the antiwar left in a particular way. As Jonathan Cohn put it in the September 12, 2005, New Republic, "Sheehan's value isn't as a barometer of public opinion or as a source of foreign policy wisdom. It's as proof of one very simple point: that a person can criticize the war and still support the troops." It's unclear that Sheehan was particularly interested in "supporting the troops"--unless one means by that lamenting the fate of the troops as victims. The fact that relatively few soldiers see themselves as victims, the fact that few families understand their loved ones' service and sacrifices in that light--that didn't matter. What mattered to the left was that it was dangerous politically not to "support the troops." Of course the antiwar left hated what the troops were doing, fighting the enemy in Iraq, and they hated the troops' goal, victory in Iraq. So "supporting the troops" meant feeling sorry for them, or pretending to--something antiwar politicians and media did with great hand-wringing and hoopla. Full Story Tough AmericansWeekly StandardMichael Fumento In the film Home of the Brave, a soldier who lost her hand in Iraq is asked if she underwent physical rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "Yeah, Walter Reed," she says. "Talk about tough Americans." Tough Americans, indeed. When I visited that same ward, the first soldier I met was Sgt. Luke Shirley, who had stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) blowing off his right side limbs and spraying him with shrapnel. "It kinda sucks not having an arm or leg," he told me, "but it hasn't bothered me like you'd think it would." I was dumbstruck. What kind of person is this? That's why I visited Walter Reed's Orthopedic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Ward in Washington, D.C., along with the surgical inpatient ward at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. (At Bethesda the men and women aren't yet ready to be sent on to Walter Reed or elsewhere for rehabilitation.) I wanted to meet these tough Americans and tell some of their stories. It was something I had long put off, because I go to war zones as an embedded reporter. I have no problem facing my own mortality for, as Ebenezer Scrooge's nephew Fred observed, we are all "fellow-travellers to the grave." But losing an arm or leg or eye--ah, that's another thing entirely. I believed I would come away from the wards feeling sick and more hesitant about upcoming embeds. Instead, each time I walked out it was with a feeling of elation at the attitudes I saw in Americans who not only refused to see themselves as victims but embraced their injuries as challenges. Full Story Al Qaeda Family FeudNewsweek |
| BREAKING NEWS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Winning In IraqNY PostRalph Peters TO a military professional, the tactical progress made in Iraq over the last few months is impressive. To a member of Congress, it's an annoyance. The herd animals on Capitol Hill - from both parties - just can't wait to go over the cliff on Iraq. And even when the media mention one or two of the successes achieved by our troops, the reports are grudging. Yet what's happening on the ground, right now, in Baghdad and in Iraq's most-troubled provinces, contributes directly to your security. In the words of a senior officer known for his careful assessments, al Qaeda's terrorists in Iraq are "on their back foot and we're trying to knock them to their knees." Do our politicians really want to help al Qaeda regain its balance? Gen. David Petraeus and his deputies sharply prioritized the threats we face in Iraq: Al Qaeda is No. 1, and Iran's Shia proxies are No. 2. Our troops hunt them relentlessly. And we don't face our enemies alone: Iraq's security forces have begun to pick up their share of the fight. Full Story Why are we rewarding Iran?Boston GlobeJeff Jacoby FOUR MONTHS ago, Iranian Revolutionary Guards seized 15 British sailors and marines in the Persian Gulf, and held them hostage for nearly two weeks. They were released only after a stage-managed appearance with Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who freed the captives as "a present to the British people" and was thanked for his "forgiveness" by one of the servicemen. For this outrage, Tehran was richly rewarded. How richly? Let us count the ways: It humiliated the British government, which declined to label the abduction of its personnel an act of war or retaliate with anything stronger than press releases. It demonstrated the ease with which it is able to flout international law and civilized norms. It exposed the cravenness of Britain's European allies, which refused London's request for a freeze on exports to Iran. It secured the release of an Iranian "diplomat" being held in Iraq, and allowed Iran access to five members of its paramilitary Quds Force, which trains insurgents to murder Americans, whom US troops in Irbil had arrested in January. Full Story General failureUSA TodayRalph Peters Some of our finest military combat leaders have commanded our troops in Iraq. Although they do not control the war's purse strings, Baghdad' political leadership or sway Congress'support, Yet they must share the blame for the mess in the Middle East - in large part for their lack of candor. There is only one test for a generation of generals: Did the men with stars on their shoulders win or lose their war? No matter the mitigating circumstances and political restrictions military leaders face, there is no "gentleman's C" in warfare. The course is pass-fail. Despite including many fine combat commanders, our military leadership could fail in Iraq, defeated by terrorists, rough-hewn insurgents and shabby militiamen who understood America's limitations better than the generals did. The generals point out that they don't control the strategic decisions, that all they can do is to follow orders, that then-secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld wouldn't listen to anyone, that Congress undercut the military, that the media's behavior has been pernicious, and that Iraq's political leaders have failed their country. Full Story A War the Pentagon Can't WinNew York Times Op-edDaniel Benjamin and Steven Simon AS the National Intelligence Estimate issued last week confirms, a terrorist haven has emerged in Pakistan's tribal belt. And as recent revelations about an aborted 2005 operation in the region demonstrate, our Defense Department is chronically unable to conduct the sort of missions that would disrupt terrorist activity there and in similarly ungoverned places. These are perhaps the most important kind of counterterrorism missions. Because the Pentagon has shown that it cannot carry them out, the Central Intelligence Agency should be given the chance to perform them. The story of the scrubbed 2005 operation illustrates why the Pentagon is incapable of doing what needs to be done. The preparations for the mission to capture or kill Al Qaeda's No. 2 leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, appear to have unfolded like others before it. Intelligence was received about a high-level Qaeda meeting. A small snatch or kill operation was to be carried out by Special Operations. But military brass added large numbers of troops to conduct additional intelligence, force protection, communications and extraction work. Full Story Iraq isn't Vietnam, HenryLos Angeles TimesMax Boot As congress debates the war in Iraq, it's becoming clear that many lawmakers want to bring the troops home while avoiding the likely consequences -- a ruinous civil war and a calamitous victory for Iran and Al Qaeda. This has led to much pining for some kind of negotiated solution -- what the Iraq Study Group called a "new diplomatic offensive" -- that might allow us a graceful exit. Enter Henry Kissinger, the octogenarian "wise man" who is an advisor to President Bush. While rightly stressing that a "precipitate withdrawal" of U.S. forces would result in a "geopolitical calamity," he suggested in a recent syndicated column that "a sustainable political end to the conflict" can be achieved not through military action but through "wise and determined American diplomacy" that engages everyone from internal Iraqi players to Iran and Indonesia. Full Story |
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Anonymous in IraqReal Clear PoliticsKathleen Parker So did you hear the one about American soldiers playing with dead baby parts found in a mass grave in Iraq? No wait, how about the guy who loved to drive Bradley armored vehicles so he could knock down concrete barriers and mow down little doggies sunning in the road? Or this one: American soldiers in a chow hall making fun of a woman whose face was "more or less melted, along with all the hair on that side of her head" from an IED. These are but a few of the claims made by one "Scott Thomas," otherwise known as the "Baghdad Diarist," allegedly a soldier serving in Iraq who has sent three dispatches to The New Republic since January. He uses the pseudonym "Scott Thomas," say the magazine's editors, so he can give honest reports without fear of official reprisal. But are they honest? Or has The New Republic (TNR) been ''glassed'' again? In the 1990s, TNR Associate Editor Stephen Glass was fired for fabricating stories. The conservative Weekly Standard began questioning the reports last week. Bloggers have joined in challenging the anecdotes, as have military personnel who have served in Iraq and, in some cases, have eaten in the same chow hall mentioned. Thomas' version of events in Iraq is looking less and less credible and smacks of the "occult hand." The occult hand was an inside joke several years ago among a group of journalists who conspired to see how often they could slip the phrase -- "It was as if an occult hand had ..." -- into their copy. This went on for years to the great merriment of a few in the know. Full Story In Iraq, liberals flip on genocideLos Angeles TimesBarack Obama says preventing genocide isn't a good enough reason to stay in Iraq. "By that argument you would have 300,000 troops in the Congo right now -- where millions have been slaughtered as a consequence of ethnic strife -- which we haven't done," he told the Associated Press. "We would be deploying unilaterally and occupying the Sudan, which we haven't done. Those of us who care about Darfur don't think it would be a good idea." It's worth at least pointing out a key difference between the potential genocide in Iraq and the heart-wrenching slaughters in Congo and Sudan: The latter aren't our fault. But if genocide unfolds in Iraq after American troops depart, it would be hard to argue that we weren't at least partly to blame. Yes, the mass murder would have more immediate authors than the United States of America, but we would undeniably be responsible, at least in part, for giving a green light to genocide. Obama offers precisely that green light in his proposed Iraq War De-escalation Act. Of course, some advocates of withdrawal try to maintain the moral high ground by arguing that there won't be genocidal slaughter -- though that usually sounds like self-delusion to me. Most close observers of the situation believe that if the U.S. were to sail out of Iraq, it would be on a river of Iraqi blood. Full Story The Surge Reaches Small-Town IraqTimeCharles Crain Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division are digging into an area where American troops have had little presence in the four years since the U.S. invasion. Madain hugs the Tigris River about 20 miles southeast of Baghdad. Its relatively small population once made it an afterthought for the over-stretched American units in and around Baghdad. Now, with the troop surge under way in Baghdad, the U.S. hopes that an increased presence in places like Madain will deny insurgents and militiamen safe havens on the outskirts of the capital. And this new territory for the Army also brings something of a new experience for the soldiers of 1-15 Infantry. Many of these men are in Iraq for their second or third tour of duty. But the new counter-insurgency doctrine of Gen. David Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, means American reinforcements are not simply driving through the area on excursions from large bases; they have set up several combat outposts where the focus is forging relationships with the community. Full Story Bomb Blasts I Have KnownTimeMark Kukis On a recent break from Iraq, I found myself sitting in Washington, D.C., at a bar on Connecticut Avenue within walking distance from the White House. I was there catching up with a longtime friend, who was eager to hear stories about life in the world's most prominent war zone. I explained that on average daily existence is a mix of thrills, horror and boredom. Whole afternoons pass in which nothing much happens as I sit in TIME's Baghdad bureau outside the Green Zone, essentially under house arrest since kidnapping threats make venturing out too dangerous even with a squad of bodyguards. Other days I spend on embed with the U.S. military, where soldierly doldrums are punctuated by episodes of high adventure. One moment you're eating a plate of tasteless food in a chow hall. Hours later you're right behind U.S. troops as they kick in a door where insurgents might he hiding. And then there are the explosions, which go off around you in Iraq at varying distances from time to time wherever you go. After hearing all this, my friend asked: What does it feel like, physically, when a bomb goes off? I struggled to explain it then, but I've been thinking about it ever since off and on, especially in the aftermath of a car bomb a few days ago that killed an estimated 10 people a few blocks from where I live. Full Story Time to Reset the Doomsday Clock?Washington PostIoannis Saratsis Last month a group of international experts met in Moscow to discuss the successes and failures of past nonproliferation efforts.Tension was thick over America's perceived unilateral nuclear foreign policy, and the Russian criticism was especially harsh. The day after the NATO-sponsored conference ended, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited President Bush at his family home in Maine, aiming to calm relations between the two nuclear powers over the proposed ballistic missile defense (BMD) system in Eastern Europe. Putin's proposal that the control of such a missile defense system be put under the NATO-Russia council -- elevating U.S.-Russian relations to a "genuine strategic partnership" -- led the world to believe that strained relations between the two had been substantially reduced. A couple of days after the meeting, however, Sergei Ivanov, Russia's deputy prime minister and the man expected to replace Putin in 2008, threatened to point Russia's nuclear missiles toward Europe if Putin's counteroffers were not accepted. While this threat is not new, it added to the growing antagonistic rhetoric emanating from Russia. Full Story |
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Terrorism: Threats, Training, Tactics and TechnologyFor the last seven years the TRC has gathered nationally renowned
experts to explore terrorism, emerging threats, training, tactics
and technology issues to assist those tasked with dealing with these
issues. Over three days, participants will have the opportunity
to explore some of the challenges and gain a comprehensive understanding
of issues related to terrorism. Blackwater USA and University of Illinois Police Training Institute Announce Partnership Moyock, NC – Blackwater USA is pleased to announce its newly formed partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Police Training Institute (PTI). Together we will pursue international and domestic training opportunities to better equip law enforcement agencies and officers to serve their communities. “We are always looking for opportunities to assist in the training of American law enforcement professionals,” said Blackwater Vice President for Training Jim Sierawski. “The University of Illinois PTI has a proven record of excellence in equipping officers to do their jobs as best as possible and we look forward to working with them.” The agreement is for a five-year period. Areas of cooperation will include: Exchange of faculty and instructors Blackwater Training Center is the most comprehensive private tactical training facility in the United States. On 7,000 acres of private land, Blackwater has trained more than 50,000 law enforcement, military personnel. Visit www.blackwaterusa.com. The Police Training Institute on the University of Illinois campus combines training and education to provide students with the philosophical base, skills, and decision-making abilities requisite to maintaining an ordered and safe society. Visit www.pti.uiuc.edu. K-9 Legal Update at Blackwater in Moyock, NC Sheriff Bill Watson of Portsmouth, Virginia will be hosting an K-9 Legal Update on Friday August 24, 2007. The course of instruction will be presented by Blackwater K-9 in Moyock, North Carolina from 0800 to 1630. The guest instructor is Investigator Maurice "Mo" Joseph of the Norfolk Police Department, Vice & Narcotic Division and Master Trainer with the Virginia Police Work Dog Association. Registration fee is $75 which includes lunch and course materials. For information click here. | |
| FRANKS REVIEW |
Tactical Equipment EvaluationThe Glock 21SF .45ACP PistolFor a long time now there has been some speculation as to what the Glock Model 40 would be. To be honest, I never expected Glock to make another gun in .45ACP after they came out with the G37, G38 and G39 in .45GAP. I was quite surprised to see the Glock 21SF being released and have to wonder if it doesn't represent the potential 4th generation of Glock evolution. Let's take a look at what's different and whether that difference is good or bad.Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/guns/glock21sf.htm
Recreational Equipment ReviewGovernment Model .45ACP For The FieldWhile this week's tactical equipment review is about the latest evolution of Glock's .45ACP, our recreational review is going to look at a weapon that's been around in its most basic form a bit longer. The Government Model 1911 .45ACP semi-automatic pistol - originally designed in 1904 and adopted by the Army in 1911 (hence the model designation) is a century old and still going strong. What makes a weapon so successful? Versatility is part of that answer and there's an awful lot that the 1911 .45 does very well - especially in the non-service field.Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/huntfish/191145.htm |
| CHAPLAINS CORNER |
WHAT HAPPENS ???...when what you dreamed and strove for did not happen? ...when the child you prayed for and wanted so very badly was born defective? ... when you are serving duty in a battle against an enemy and your best buddy is blown away right beside you? ...when you patrol partner and friend of much time is critically injured on duty? ...Maybe even dies in your arms? ...when the love of your life develops a disease that causes her to be so delicate that she breaks bones by coughing , sneezing or rolling over in bed? ...when she is advised that she needs a heart valve repair and if she takes the surgery the chances are that she will develop a clot and have a stroke... and she does have the surgery and the clot does develop... and unless you let them operate immediately she will die... If you do let the operate she will probably be paralyzed on one side at the least and totally paralyzed at the worst? ... when she develops kidney failure and she is too fragile to be handled by others and you have no means of supporting her in an institutionalized situation... Dialysis or death... what do you do? ...when you have given death notifications to thousands of people at all hours of the night and day and one morning the knock on your door is someone to inform you that your twenty seven year old son was killed in a truck crash at 4:30 in the morning and you are just now being told by his friend's mother at 9:30 AM, of the crash and the death? http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2007/article/073007chaplain.htm |
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