US troops will never overcome insurgents, warns senior officer

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/30/wirq230.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/01/30/ixnewstop.html

The insurgency in Iraq will last at least a decade and American troops alone will not be able to defeat it, a senior US military officer in Baghdad has predicted.

Speaking on the eve of Iraq's first free election for 51 years, the officer conceded: "Iraqis are the ones who will have to defeat the insurgency, not multi-national forces.

"It is not necessarily a growing insurgency but it is a resilient one," he told The Telegraph. "We're looking at a long-term insurgency, probably at a lower level of violence than now. Historically, you look at a decade – and this is no different."

Iraq has been put under a virtual three-day lockdown for the elections, with unprecedented security measures bringing life to a standstill. There is a dusk-to-dawn curfew and travel between provinces is banned. Iraqi police officers will form an inner security ring at polling stations, bolstered by an outer ring of Iraqi troops, and American rapid reaction forces can be deployed if necessary.

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[twaddler01]

1. the US military officer must not work for the bushies...

Or he just realized the truth...

:D

[ckramer]

2. Tell that to Bush

[Conservativesux]

32. "Bring Em' On" says *. They did :(

[LynnTheDem]

3. Of course troops will never overcome the rebels.

Iraqis will have to defeat IRAQIS, seeing as how 95% of the rebels are IRAQIS.

All one has to do, looking specifically at Iraq, is look at Britain's first attempt at invading & occupying Iraq. That's exactly what the Iraqis are doing today, and they will continue to do exactly this until they force US troops out of Iraq, exactly as they did to the Brits.

And sooooooooo many US military and ME experts and REPUBLICANS have been saying invading Iraq would be a huge debacle right from the start. Hell, even poppa bush and Cheney the Dick said so.

[SweetLeftFoot]

6. Yep

and the resistance has achieved a certain point which means it will never be completely defeated - it has permanent refuge and support in the Sunni Triangle. If the Yanks had ever talked to the Brits about their experience with guerilla warfare (the IRA), they'd have found that the Brits were forced to sue for peace because while they had beaten the IRA in 90% of Ulster, they just couldn't crack South ARmagh, the Sunni TRiangle of Ireland.

[LynnTheDem]

22. The resistance has far more support by SHIA than by the Sunni.

With 60% of the population being SHIA versus 20% Sunni, then in several polls where 60% of BOTH Sunni AND Shia say attacks on troops are justified, 80% of BOTH Sunni AND Shia want US troops out of Iraq immediately, and 90% of BOTH Sunni AND Shia have an unfavorable view of bush, that OBVIOUSLY means that means FAR MORE SHIA are supporting the rebels, FAR MORE SHIA want US troops out immediately, and FAR MORE SHIA hate bush's guts, than Sunnis do.

60% of 60% of the population is far more warm bodies than 60% of 20% of the population.

Funny how bushCartel & the US State Media haven't yet figured that out. :D

[Igel]

39. It allows the inference; it doesn't require it.

But you'd then have to explain why there are fewer attacks in Basra than Samarra.

Unless the "resistence" isn't the people actually doing the attacks, but just people that sympathize.

[0007]

40. I think perhaps they do realize the fact, perhaps they just

want to wait until after the elections to pull out! - "Mission Accomplished"

junior will then say, "What more can we do?"
1.) We got rid of Saddam Hussein.
2.) We installed Democracy.
3.) We trained the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army.

Then the newly elected President of Iraq, Allawi will plead for America to stay and help. And junior being the compassionate man he is will oblige.

Nothing will change!

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[SweetLeftFoot]

5. Right

and if only we all "had your strength and courage" we could meet a nice gal at chucrh, pop out a few Christian rugrats and work hard so we won't need any Social Security?

If you're convinced by these "elections" ... you know, those elections where candidates can't show their faces and people vote along tribal lines, then perhaps I could interest you in some property I've got for sale.

It's a large bridge in Sydney. Very photogenic. Give us 2 mil cash and we'll call it quits.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[SweetLeftFoot]

10. Why don't you

go and see just what a beneficial experience the election has been in say Ramadi. I'm sure you'll come back a very different man.

[qazplm]

13. Hmmmm...

seems like the man you were last year didnt post on DU either judging that your only two posts ever appear to be in this thread lol

I am sure however that Free Republic has seen you on many an occassion.

But let's play along, what exactly were you "wrong" about. Why did you oppose the war before and why is that opposition now wrong?

The mere holding of elections? Hate to break it to you, but Iraq has held elections before. Back then it was the Sunni's that dominated it, now it's the Shiites.

We've flipped oppressed groups, and the civil war is still on track to occur right after we leave. But hey one quarter turnout among expatriates is stunning right? Freedom on the march eh? Before we know it, Iraq will be a beacon of democracy, heck a few years later, they might all convert to Christianity!!

Then Iran, then Saudi Arabia, because after all the whole world really wants to be like us...they just dont know it yet.

[Tinoire]

38. LMAO! Didn't see the post you were responding too but lol

I LOVE your response!

[thebigidea]

8. yes, this administration's resolve is truly heartwarming

I've never seen such firm, erect resolve. It almost makes me want to start accounts on political websites and froth at the mouth about the near religious conversion brought on by glimpsing such stiff, succulent resolve.

Boy, I was against this war until I saw three or four people dancing around in Detroit voting for mystery candidates from mystery parties for mysterious reasons amidst mortar, rpg, and suicide attacks thousands of miles away.

What's that tingling sensation I feel in my extremeties? No, not the stiffy from listening to the oily words of Richard Perle in my ear... I mean that tingling, burning sensation... why, I suddenly feel compelled to support a flat tax and anything espoused by Mr. Forbes...

Hurray for freedom, and three cheers for resolve.

I need to be alone in the bathroom for a while with photographs of our glorious President and his resolve.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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[thebigidea]

11. so you compare me to a suicide bomber, and I'm the nasty one?

You call me a terrorist, and I'm the one lobbing insults?

I was almost ready to convert to hardcore Santorum-style conservatism, but your hate speech drove me from the party. I was this close to subscribing to the Weekly Standard but your coarse dialogue shattered all my cherished beliefs in the conservative movement.

why do you hate America so very much?

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

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[twaddler01]

16. one thing is for sure...

I do not support:

- A president who deceives his people...

- Who starts a war without proper evidence...

- Who goes to war with a country for oil, money, and power...

- Who starts this war with massive deaths and no resolve...

This list goes on...

:boring:

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[thebigidea]

18. an inspirational moment, to be sure

"Let me ask any of you... what do you love? Who do you love? Just those who agree with you? And **Screw** the rest???

What does that sound like to you?"

George W. Bush and the entire Republican Party, doesn't it.

Or does he love those that disagree with him? I'd love to hear about such an occasion.

[qazplm]

15. you'd get more respect

if you just came out and said you were a conservative who supports the war instead of playing this charade.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[twaddler01]

20. violence and death

and possibly a civil war is NOT a good thing--except you might not see that if you only watch Fox News.

I do not think any of us hate, we just disapprove...

"My name is twaddler, and I DO NOT approve George Bush."

[thebigidea]

21. what good does all your fantasy do?

simply pretending things are getting better doesn't actually mean they are.

I hate to break this to you, but it really isn't that the media doesn't want to report "all the good things in Iraq."

There ARE no good things going on in Iraq. Its too dangerous to go anywhere, even for a dumb FOX PR stunt or something. Have you ever actually seen any of these wonderful schools or hospitals we rebuilt?

Why is that, anyway?

Don't fall into the trap of believing your own propaganda. Its all well and good during a campaign year, we expect that kind of shit. But nowadays you just come off as completely delusional.

Because your happytalk comes off as just that - or are you disrespecting the man in the article, discounting his service to our country?

who should I listen to, you, or this senior officer?

I know you don't want to actually discuss this article, but chew on that again:

"The insurgency in Iraq will last at least a decade and American troops alone will not be able to defeat it, a senior US military officer in Baghdad has predicted. "

Now I can see why you had to distract from it. Phew, not good for the happytalk brigade.

[twaddler01]

24. there should be requirements in this world

to really understand propaganda...

[qazplm]

25. yawn

first of all you dont even know what is happening in Iraq.

second of all, anyone who has NEVER posted at DU before and has a handle "the converted" is a troll plain and simple.

third, this has nothing to do with "hate".

And finally, what is happening is not a "good thing", it is the prelude to a very bad series of "things" including civil war.

If you are going to attempt to present the simplistic argument "voting good, not voting bad" without any attempt at deeper examination, then you are a waste of time.

If you are going to troll, at least do it with some intelligence. If you want a debate and a break from Freeperville's unanimous consent, fine, then bring something more than what you have brought so far.

[DrWeird]

27. Nobody really believes that.

"what is happening in Iraq is a good thing."

Iraqis don't believe it. Americans don't believe it. Everybody else doesn't believe it.

You don't really believe it, do you?

[argyl]

12. You'll be missed. Your half hour on this board has been the zenith

of its existence.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[qazplm]

26. ah

running away eh?

Got it, didnt think you had any real debate in you.

[thebigidea]

28. so if I get converted too, do I get to call people terrorists too?

when do I get to smear all those who have a slightly different opinion than me a terrorist?

when do I reach that level of conversion?

[SweetLeftFoot]

29. Wondering

Are you keen on Jesus? All this talk of "being consumed by hate" makes me think that you are going to post a number where we can donate any second now.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

31. It's nice to see what our $88 million dollars bought...

Just in case anyone here was in doubt you provide proof. Thank you.

[Conservativesux]

30. Iraq: America's New Afganistani Siege....Thanks for nothing *.

[JohnnyRingo]

33. If insurgents number 10% of Iraqi population, as is widely speculated

....Well, you do the math on 59 mil.

They aren't going away because one of the 7000 candidates gets some votes.

[theresistance]

34. The media is responsible for fostering this "insurgent" myth

It is the "Iraqis" people! Not "insurgents"! Better still, its "resistance". Although I agree with the assessment, unless of course America can slaughter enough people, like Central America. That's why they've been considering Central American-style death squads - because they are losing!

[lebkuchen]

35. There was no insurgency before Bush invaded Iraq

How can the "insurgency" not be growing when attacks on US troops have nearly tripled in over a year? How can one predict a lower level of violence when we had more soldiers die just the other day than since the start of the war?

What multi-national force? The Brits are now making plans to pull out. Who's left but 150 Aussies?

Should the US ever be forced out of Iraq, we will have left the country in shambles, politically, socially, and infrastructurally, if that's a word.

[teryang]

36. Here's love for you: 93 percent civilian casualties

The overwhelming majority killed by American bombs and bullets after an illegal invasion based on fraud.

[cliss]

37. OK, back to the News Article.

The senior officer expects that we'll be in Iraq for a decade. We will not be able to break the back of the resistance. For many obvious reasons.

When the US marched into Iraq in 2003, their chance of success was a staggering 0.01%. I've written many posts on this. But since Bush and his cohorts are such Riverboat gamblers, they probably knew it wouldn't succeed.

But it was such thrilling entertainment, and it gave their corporate cronies a chance to cash in. So it was all worth it, in the end. And as far as the 14 permanent bases being built in Iraq? Well, never trust a double-crosser. As Bush tricked and cheated the American public, he will probably trick his corporate crooks.

Now, I'm going to say that this officer is wrong. I believe we were involved in VietNam for about 20 years. We lost 55,000 American troops. I'm not sure about the cost of the war. (It's here somewhere on a thread).

I believe we have the time (17 more years) and we have the troops (53,600 troops to go), but the money is a different issue. I think this war is costing MUCH more. We've already spent closer to $300 billion, if not more. We haven't even paid this yet. It's all been pushed out into the future.

Sorry to tell you you're wrong, senior officer in Baghdad. We won't last that long.