`Atmospherics' intelligence is how U.S. troops read Baghdad body language

[Rose Siding]

snip>
A dirty look is better than no one out at all, the soldiers said. When parents are willing to venture out and let their children play, it means the insurgents aren't planning an attack, at least for the moment.

These are more than casual observations by the soldiers. The military calls it atmospherics, and it passes for military intelligence at a time when U.S. troops near Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood no longer can interact openly with Iraqis. It comes mostly from the limited view through the windows that line their Humvees. The soldiers said such looks helped them determine how dangerous their patrol route could be that day.

The atmospherics "are almost like the old Indian smoke signals," said Capt. Clint Tracy, 30, of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, A Company 1-12 Cavalry, from Fort Hood, Texas, which has a base at the edge of Sadr City. "A lot of people have lived in the same place for quite a while. They know everything before we do."

Although not foolproof, atmospherics are generally reliable because the Iraqis are gathering their own intelligence about how safe the streets are that day. They know from their neighbors if insurgents have taken over a home to attack the Americans. They see if someone is launching mortars onto a military base from outside his home.

There was a time when U.S. soldiers could leave their bases freely in non-armored Humvees and interact with the people they'd traveled thousands of miles to protect. The Iraqis might teach them a little Arabic or tip them off to trouble in the neighborhood. The soldiers would teach the children American sayings, listen to pleas for more rebuilding and hand out candy............

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/9682088.htm

[sffreeways]

1. Thay don't have much else to go on

Semour Hersch has made it pretty clear they don't have the traditional ways of getting intel and cooperation. Iraqis aren't cooperating with their occupiers that's why they had to do their sadistic sexual stuff at Abu Ghraib. Unless they can threaten and coerce them they aren't forthcoming with intel or assistance.

These soldiers are coming back with the worst PTSD ever from a conflict.

[stevedeshazer]

4. I fear you're right

My cousin's son is in Mosul, and we know he has already seen enough to haunt him for the rest of his life.

[saigon68]

2. NO THROWING OF FLOWERS ANYMORE

Just lobbing Mortars, Grenades and RPGs

[DS1]

3. and to think "It's quiet. Yeah, too quiet" used to be such a cliche

*sigh*

[Just Me]

5. I would think this to be hands-off classified-type tactics.

But, what the hell do I know.

[shadu]

6. Perhaps we think Iraqis only read the Qur'an and comic books

This is becoming standard bush policy:
always publish your battle plan and telegraph your next move.

[Just Me]

8. As in: "they are forcing us to use our kids now",...kinda' thingy? n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. I guess these tactics work real well, what was it 12 guys killed today?

[BrotherBuzz]

9. Atmospherics go out the window....

when children start getting recruited....

[jonnyo]

10. They beg for reconstruction money...

and we hand out candy.

I wonder what Dick Cheney and Richard Perle are dining on tonight?

[Elginoid]

11. are these iraqi's looking at liberators or occupiers?

Iraq -- through the eyes of U.S. soldiers on patrol.