November 14, 2003

KILL THEM:

General sees 'urgency' in Iraq (Dave Moniz and Tom Squitieri, 11/13/03, USA TODAY)

The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East said Thursday that coalition forces are facing up to 5,000 fighters in Iraq and must act quickly to defeat the well-funded and well-trained enemy.

Abizaid said the largest and most dangerous portion of the opposition forces consists of loyalists of ousted president Saddam Hussein. Foreign fighters also pose a threat and are entering Iraq through porous borders, Abizaid said.

"The goal of the enemy is not to defeat us militarily," Abizaid said in a news briefing from U.S. Central Command headquarters in Florida. "The goal of the enemy is to break the will of the United States of America, to make us leave."

Abizaid said the opposition forces can't drive the U.S.-led coalition out of Iraq through the use of military force. He said the insurgents don't have much popular support and often hire young, unemployed criminals "to do their dirty work."

"It is very important that as we progress militarily, we also progress politically and economically, so as to get these angry young men off the streets," Abizaid said.


The important thing would seem to be that we've begun pro-actively killing them instead of hoping they'll see the democratic light.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 14, 2003 8:25 AM
Comments

Whenever I read an interview with American officers serving in Iraq I am always struck by the disconnect between their clear-eyed assesment of both the difficulties and the advantages our troops are dealing with over there as compared to the consistently ignorant ravings of the press and the antiwar left.

I guess having actual responsibility to complete a mission without getting yourself or your men killed concentrates the mind some.

Posted by: Jason Johnson at November 14, 2003 9:55 AM

Hopefully we're moving from "bring em on" to "lets roll." Civilians who harbor and encourage the terrorists need to feel some pain too. They are not just spectators in this. If the Sunni want war we should oblige them.

Posted by: genecis at November 14, 2003 10:25 AM

So how long is it going to be before the media and the rest of the anti-war crowd starts drawing parallels between what we are doing here (blowing up buildings, shooting "militants" from helicopters)with what the Israelis are doing?

Posted by: Rick T. at November 14, 2003 10:55 AM

Rick T -
It has already started. I think Charles Johnson (who else?) has something on this today.

Posted by: Jason Johnson at November 14, 2003 12:49 PM

The pain the US administration is feeling over casualties will accelerate the power transfer to Iraqis. This at least is a good thing because it reduces beurocratic foot-dragging.

Then the US forces can retire to impregnable bases and let the shia kill the terrorists off.

With US forces still resident but beyond reach, a military takeover of Iraq by the old baathists or new jehadis will be impossible. All they'll be capable of is terror bombing, and that will soon turn all hands against them.

The terrorism may go on for some time but that's only a problem if it kills coalition troops. The Iraqis can fight thair own war in their own country.

Posted by: Amos at November 14, 2003 10:07 PM
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