Generals and politicans differ on Iraq

[weester87]

DAVID IGNATIUS

THE WASHINGTON POST

Posted on a bulletin board at Centcom headquarters here is a 1918 admonition from T.E. Lawrence explaining what he learned in training Arab soldiers: "It is better to let them do it themselves imperfectly than to do it yourself perfectly. It is their country, their way, and our time is short."

That quote sums up an important shift in U.S. military strategy on Iraq that has been emerging over the past year. The commanders who are running the war don't talk about transforming Iraq into an American-style democracy, or of imposing U.S. values. They understand that Iraqis dislike American occupation, and for that reason they want fewer American troops in Iraq, not more.

I had a rare opportunity to hear a detailed explanation of U.S. military strategy this past weekend, when the Centcom chief, Gen. John Abizaid, gathered his top generals here for what he called a "commanders' huddle." They described a military approach that's different, at least in tone, from what the public perceives.

For the commanders, Iraq isn't an endless tunnel. They are planning to reduce U.S. troop levels over the next year to a force that will focus on training and advising the Iraqi military. They don't want permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. Indeed, they believe such a high-visibility American presence will only make it harder to stabilize the country.

President Bush and other administration officials continue to speak about Iraqi democracy in glowing terms, but you don't hear similar language from the military. After watching Iraqi political infighting for more than two years, they're more cautious. "I think we'd be foolish to try to build this into an American democracy," says one general. "It's going to take a very different form and character." The military commanders have concluded that because Iraqis have such strong cultural antibodies to the American presence, the World War II model of occupation isn't relevant in Iraq. They've sharply lowered expectations for what America can accomplish.

[weester87]

What no response from the warmongers? The administration made a huge mistake invading Iraq!

[salvageV6]

Whoever said we were pushing for an American style democracy?

They have a Parliamentary system in place already, still a democracy I believe. Last I checked our Parliaments were cigs.

How does the Washington Post author know exactly what the public perceives?

He omniscient?

Probably ONLY knows full well what the leftists perceive.

Other than not wanting permanent bases in Iraq which I found interesting there is nothing else in the article that isn't common knowledge or common sense.

"They've sharply lowered expectations for what America can accomplish."

This certainly seems to be conjecture and inference on the authors part.

The military is there to support the govt. and stabilize control I am not sure just how much developing of the political structure they are supposed to be involved in.

That would be an opinion of course, but, I doubt many of those generals helped write the Iraqi constitution.

[Drew L]

Originally Posted by weester87

What no response from the warmongers? The administration made a huge mistake invading Iraq!

that's because nobody cares what you and your ilk post...........................

[Red Regal T]

When you're a liberal, you're a defeatist and a whiner. They have no faith in America. What can you expect from liberals but negative whining. Leftists are the cause of whatever slowness of progress that is being achieved. They give aid and comfort to the enemy with their constant criticism of a war against Islamic fanatics, that needs to be fought. There is no alternative.

[TTAfreak]

the good ole washington post.

funny, I dont see any names there. I see "says one general" LMAO.

who the hell is this general? give us a name?

he talks about his "rare opportunity" to hear military strategy, and then tells us nothing about his wonderful experience.

nothing more than an opinion column. you would think by now, the people in this forum could give you their OWN opinion without having to get it from someone else.

[weester87]

"When you're a liberal, you're a defeatist and a whiner. They have no faith in America."

Y'all are in denial, I have faith in our soldiers but not in the Iraqis. You still think we can force our value system on a people that despise us. This will be a Shiite/Cleric run government like Iran.

[Red Regal T]

This message is hidden because weester87 is on your ignore list.

Friends........follow my lead so as not to expose yourself to stupid ranting by those who give aid and comfort to the Islamists.

[weester87]

"Friends........follow my lead so as not to expose yourself to stupid ranting by those who give aid and comfort to the Islamists."

Give aid to Islamists? I think not....We are wasting our time with these dirtbags. The rep. rhetoric supports and feeds these b@stards. If ya'll hated them so much you to would want our troops over there? We are helping them build a new ISLAMIC nation run by ISLAMIC CLERICS.....

This countrys greed and thirst for oil has made us bedmates with these scumbags.....

[weester87]

"the good ole washington post.
funny, I dont see any names there. I see "says one general" LMAO.

Try General Casey among others. This very subject was on Cspan tonight and both Rep and Dem senators were asking the American Generals in Iraq about these comments. Both sides were disappointed with the comments coming from the military.

[bruce]

Originally Posted by weester87

Y'all are in denial, I have faith in our soldiers but not in the Iraqis. You still think we can force our value system on a people that despise us. This will be a Shiite/Cleric run government like Iran.

LOL, you haven't a clue, if it wasn't for whining, and lying, you'd have little to say.

Support our troops, and yet you take every chance to mock the work they're trying to do. What a flippin joke, you just haven't a clue. Just because you don't agree with what's going on, there's no need for your continual lies, about supporting anything, or having any compassion.

It's laughable how you advertise you losing attitude.

How are the wounds healing?.
LOL