Back to inkblots in Baghdad
The NYTimes has an article interpreting Bush's description from the press conference yesterday as a return to the "inkblot" strategy for defeating the Iraqi insurgency. This is pretty interesting because it represents something of an about face in tactics.
Previously, the US had been working to consolidate US forces in "superbases," large concentrations from which reaction missions could be conducted, but this shift would've required the Iraqi forces to capably do the day to day work of patrolling the streets. (I discussed the shift from inkblots to superbases in this post.)
This marks a substantial shift in tactics, and a severe setback in the assessment of those who are supposed to be "standing up." I think the forced inclusion of American MP's into Iraqi units shows that lack of trust.
(Also note that for the inkblot strategy to work, the residents of the area must be "converted" to support the military force rather than the insurgents.)
Previously, the US had been working to consolidate US forces in "superbases," large concentrations from which reaction missions could be conducted, but this shift would've required the Iraqi forces to capably do the day to day work of patrolling the streets. (I discussed the shift from inkblots to superbases in this post.)
This marks a substantial shift in tactics, and a severe setback in the assessment of those who are supposed to be "standing up." I think the forced inclusion of American MP's into Iraqi units shows that lack of trust.
(Also note that for the inkblot strategy to work, the residents of the area must be "converted" to support the military force rather than the insurgents.)
posted by mikevotes at
9:58 AM
2 Comments:
American casualties were down this month (nearly half what they were in June.) I would think they will skyrocket again once the new security plan is implemented. So now you have two-pronged problem for Rove and the RNC: a) no pre-midterm troop withdrawl to tout as "progress" and b) higher U.S. casualties. The Grand Old Party really is going to rue those sham war debates and the non-binding "We Love The Preznit's Iraq war Policy" resolution they rammed through in June.
By
Reality-Based Educator, at 10:54 AM
I don't know enough of the psecifics to say if casualties are going to go up. My guess, like yours, is they would, simply by more numbers on the streets and more interactions, but if they dumped all 10,000 in one neighborhood, the insurgents could just shift elsewhere. But I think you're right. And I don't envy those MP's who are going to be riding in ones and twos with Iraqi police.
And I would add c) worse and worse pictures on the TV, and d) increasing talk of Iraq falling apart/the government splitting.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 1:33 PM
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