Americans caught in perilous game of brinkmanship

[IndianaGreen]

But what was disturbing was the number of Shiites who argued - improbably - that they were now brothers in arms with Iraq's Sunnis.

Americans caught in perilous game of brinkmanship
ANALYSIS | By Paul McGeough
April 7, 2004

Busloads of bemused Iranian pilgrims arrived to find the al-Kadum shrine closed for the first time since 1991, when Saddam Hussein ordered its imposing timber doors shut during the last Shiite uprising.

The golden-domed, blue-glazed mosque is in inner-suburban al-Khadamiya - a Moqtada al-Sadr stronghold. Dozens of armed men, all of them wearing the green headband of Sadr's outlawed Mehdi Army, milled about, waiting for American troops who did not arrive.

One clutched a long-bladed knife of polished steel - razor-sharp. In sign language, I sliced the side of my hand across my forehead, asking if this was the ceremonial knife Shiites used to make their heads bleed on their holiest days. "No," he signed back, slashing his hand across his throat, before adding: "Kill Ameriki!"

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/06/1081222470409.html

[opihimoimoi]

1. Not looking good at all. Confrontations are so out of it. Its the OLD WAY

Do we know only the Old Way of dealing with sticky?

There just HAS to be better and more effective ways. I feel Kerry and his Staff will have a better handle on things.

Thus far, Bushies decision record sucks.

[KharmaTrain]

2. This All Could Have Been Prevented!!!

Had Rummy listened to his planners and made provisions to find jobs and things to do for these people, he wouldn't have to be sending our young men into kill them now.

This is getting very muddy, very fast, folks. Not only for the stability of Iraq but the entire region. American credibility has never been lower and more detested. Our "friends" in the region can't just sit back and say nothing as cities in an Arab nation rise up and are ruthlessly supressed.

Also, notice how our "Coalition" partners are nowhere to be seen nor heard. Anyone heard a welp from the Poodle in London lately??? How soon before the Brits bug out?

[ixion]

3. It started when Bremmer closed their newspaper

Not a wise move on his part... but when has this maladmin exhibited any wisdom at all? :shrug: