What about this retired general?

[Yeager]

caught this from a recent cNN headline:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/05/05/iraq.main/index.html

Retired general: 'Race against time'

The violence took place as a report from retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey said the American strategy in Iraq is "painfully but gradually succeeding" and noted that U.S. troops will be needed in Iraq for another three to five years.

McCaffrey's seven-page memorandum said that victory in Iraq is a 10-year task and that the United States "will remain in a serious crisis in Iraq during the coming 24 months (edit: 2 years for those of you in Rio Linde)."

"There is no reason why the U.S. cannot achieve our objectives in Iraq," he wrote after an April visit with troops.

But winning the war will take more money for reconstruction, a greater commitment by U.S. agencies beyond the Pentagon and more funding for the Iraqi police, among other recommendations -- and McCaffrey questioned whether the United States is willing to make those commitments.

"We have few alternatives to the current U.S. strategy, which is painfully but gradually succeeding," he wrote. "This is now a race against time. Do we have the political will. Do we have the military power; will we spend the resources required to achieve our aims?"

McCaffrey led the Army's 24th Infantry Division in the Persian Gulf War and was the anti-drug czar in the Clinton administration. He is a professor at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, and an analyst for NBC News. He prepared the memo, dated April 25, for faculty and students at West Point.

The Pentagon had no comment.

McCaffrey concludes the Iraqi army is "real, growing and willing to fight."

But, he said, it will need two to five more years before it is capable of standing on its own. The Iraqis are badly equipped, lacking artillery, armored vehicles, air support and communications, he said.

McCaffrey wrote that most U.S. combat troops could be withdrawn from Iraq within three to five years, but he said the country would need $5 billion to $10 billion a year in economic assistance.
====

[Hangtime]

"There is no reason why the U.S. cannot achieve our objectives in Iraq," he wrote after an April visit with troops.

That's the kinda dum-assed statement I'd expect from a politician. The military is SUPPOSED to identify and assess risk of failure.

I'm fairly certain there's at least a 100 reasons why the US may fail in Iraq.

[Yeager]

I think the real tragedy here is the reality that we are most likely going to fail in Iraq.  If for no other reason than americans are fat, dumb and lazy.  Ten years?  You GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.  Americans want their (*)gasm and they WANT IT NOW.  A new crop of worthless politicians will get voted in to replace the old crop of worthless politicians and reverse course midstream.  Its the american way.

[DoctorYO]

He prepared the memo, dated April 25, for faculty and students at West Point.

Do you really think he's going boost the morale and tell the greenhorn cadets that we are winning the military engagements but loosing the war through attrition (great recruiting numbers), support of the populace (4th gen) and economic collaspe when he is a member of the gray line cadre.

(pause)    (pause)   buhuaaahhahaaaaahhhahahahhaha haaa

let me give you a quick breakdown..

cost of IED = < 50.00 US...   destruction of IED vs US forces...  3-5 Casulties avg $50,000-$200,000 in sgli ...  100,000+ disability etc..  retraining... (not including tanks helos or other materials for war etc..)

now they likely deploy 20 ieds for one successful attack..  (most likely better ratio but im being conservative.)

lets do the math..

$50 x 20 = 1000 bucks..(if you want to insert a higher figure be my guest but were still getting hosed economically)      vs   millions in retraining , equipment loss and sgli / disability

That is not winning in my book.. maybe you are still living the dream of "Mission Accomplished".  there is more to warfare than second generation..   we should be applying 4th gen but we screwed the pooch with abu gaurib..  so 4th gen is out of the question..

I suggest you study iraq's (mesopotamia) history 1915-1920 and after such re critque this baffoon's opinion your passing off as credible.. (any Brits care to give him a hint)

I really like this comment:

The Iraqis are badly equipped, lacking artillery, armored vehicles, air support and communications, he said.

And I wonder who was responsible for such "lacking"...  

Tell your hero at the point that he should do a refresher on the rudimentry concept of using your enemies resources..   age old tactics dating back to the time of Sun Tzu and beyond   (manditory reading for all cadets last time I checked..)


DoctorYo

[Hangtime]

Yup. Finland is also an outstanding example of using the enemies resources against the invader.

[Yeager]

just out of curiosity doc, what are you credentials relating to history and the military?  the only reason I ask is that you seem to have some idea of what you are talking about.....have you been taught professionally?  served in any military? or are you self tutored?

[Nilsen]

have you served Yeager?

[Yeager]

Not directly.  I was a military dependant until the age of 11 when my father retired.  

Im not slaggin on DocYO.  He speaks logically and I am curious as to his credentials.

[Nilsen]

how old are you now?

[Yeager]

Soon to celebrate the 21st anniversary of my 21st birthday  

[john9001]

Originally posted by Hangtime
That's the kinda dum-assed statement I'd expect from a politician. The military is SUPPOSED to identify and assess risk of failure.

I'm fairly certain there's at least a 100 reasons why the US may fail in Iraq.

alquida loves to hear defeatist talk like that,maybe you should be a military analyst for CNN.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by john9001
alquida loves to hear defeatist talk like that,maybe you should be a military analyst for CNN.

so ..

right or wrong you should stick to the course?

[Hangtime]

Originally posted by john9001
alquida loves to hear defeatist talk like that,maybe you should be a military analyst for CNN.

And I just love my drives through the neighborhood these days. With all the heads buried in the sand all I seem to see these days is bellybutton holes and elbows.