Archive for March, 2003
Steve Den Beste at the USS Clueless thinks that maybe the reports of location and mission by embedded reporters may be intentional “leaks” to keep the Iraqi forces from pulling back into Baghdad.
If they’ve [US planners] given up on the idea of mass surrenders, and come to the conclusion that large parts of the Republican Guard will have to be destroyed, then it’s better if it be done in the open countryside. So it’s a good thing to entice them into making an attack, and the only way they’ll do that is if they know where we are.
Obviously we’d rather fight the RG in the open (or relative open, anyway) rather than in the streets of Baghdad. Honestly, I’m mystified that they didn’t fall back into the city as soon as the incredible speed of our advance was apparent. They are acting as if they believe they can defeat us in battle. Not to underestimate an enemy, but that seems insane.
However, to suggest we’re purposely giving out location information through the press to bait the Iraqis into a fight seems like a stretch. And a Christian Science Monitor reporter was kicked out of the Marine unit he was with exaclty because he gave out too much location info.
It looks like there are could be major additions to the ground combat forces in Iraq. According to the this Reuters article, the 1st Armored Division in Germany, the 1st Cavalry Division in Texas, and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fort Collins, CO (although maybe they mean the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment based in Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, CO–according to Global Security, the 2nd ACR is based in Fort Polk, LA) are all slated to move. That’s in addition to the 4th Infantry Division, which has been off the coast of Turkey for over month waiting for permission to land. They didn’t get it, of course, and the ships are now headed for Kuwait. All of these units were alerted to deploy weeks or months ago, but sealift limitations (and maybe predictions of a one week war) left them mostly in their home bases.
In addition, the airfield that the 173rd Airborne seized yesterday is being prepped to receive the 1-63 Armor of the 1st Infantry Division in Germany. Their M1 tanks can only be flown in one per plane, but I read that a battallion (about 58 tanks or IFVs) can be flown in every two days.
FoxNews is running a story about Bagdad, Kentucky. Legend has it that the town acquired its name way back when a kid working in a feed mill would repeat “Bag, Dad,” when he needed another, um, bag. Said a resident when asked about the differences between Bagdad, KY, and Baghdad, Iraq: “Well, I’d say we’re a bit more redneck down here.” Fair and Balanced.
It seems that the 101st Airborne Division is preparing to enter the fight. According to this, they are in a truck convoy headed north. Earlier, elements of the divsion were reported up near the 3rd ID near An Najaf, setting up positions for helicopter operations. Will we see an air assault in the coming days? Of note in the article is this:
Division commanders expressed concern about the safety of the convoy, because of earlier attacks by irregular Iraqi forces against Marine and Army units in Iraq’s countryside and cities.Another worry is that livestock or children might be pushed in front of military vehicles in an attempt to stop them, possibly to set up an ambush.
“If a civilian tries to block the route, run them over,” said Lt. Col. Ed Palekas. “Do not stop.”
Troops were also told to be on the alert for anyone approaching as if to surrender.
The Americans are to show their weapons first and then, if anyone acts menacingly, shoot.
That’s a pretty bad deal, but what choice do they have? Come to think of it, he could also be talking about driving through downtown San Francisco.
This has been around for a while, but a friend just forwarded it to me and I still smile every time I see it.
Update 19:09 27 Mar 2003
After careful analysis, CIA officials have announced that the man in the picture appears to be Saddam, but they don’t know if it could have been taken before the opening of the war. Also, his lower body is not visible in the photo, adding to suspicion that he may have been seriously wounded in missile attacks last week. []
According to this NY Sun article, Turkey denied us permission to send troops through to northern Iraq not because of its Islamic population but becuase of French and German intimidation. Generally, I’m initially skeptical of pretty much everything, but nothing about Old Europe is surprising me any longer.
Contrary to expectations, the opposition, responding to orders from party leaders, voted unanimously against the government’s position.
The leaders insisted on a disciplined “no” vote because of pressure – some would call it blackmail – from France and Germany.
The French and German governments informed the Turkish opposition parties that if they voted to help the Coalition war effort, Turkey would be locked out of Europe for a generation. As one Turkish leader put it, “there were no promises, only threats.”
Is this true? I don’t know. But honestly, I’m going to consider it so until it’s proven otherwise.
So. Was that another US diplomatic failure? Although I think nearly everyone would agree that our administration could have done a better job presenting our case, I think this illustrates the point that there are a lot of other factors involved in the events leading up to this war. And, unlike the lack of French military assistance, the lack of Turkish access is going to cost us.
A massive college and high school walkout is planned for noon tomorrow in New York. They’re going to mob around for a while, blah, blah, blah.
Reminds me of this guy I used to work with that told me he was seriously thinking about going to Washington, DC, to take part in a protest. Impressed that he felt so strongly about a cause to travel all the way to Washington, I asked what he was protesting. This is absolutely true. He shrugged and said he wasn’t sure, and did I know if there was a schedule of planned protests so he could see what worked out for him schedule-wise? []
Reports say that 3rd ID troops found Russian-made chemical artillery shells near An Najaf. Again, count to ten. Then wait and see. Fog. The majority of the military equipment in Iraq is Russian-made, and could have been bought any time in the past three decades. Personally, I’m afraid that if we discover Iraqi WMD in the next month, it will be because they were used against us. Maybe by irregular forces opperating on their own.
According to this, Marines found this mural in or near Nasiriyah. Look vaguely familiar?
Update 08:09 27 Mar 2003
Link inserted. Sorry.
