Experts: U.S. claims Ramadi a mere setback are ‘delusional

McClatchey DC ^ | 5-18-2015 | Jonathan S. Landay and Hannah Allam

[tcrlaf]

The Obama administration Monday called the fall of the capital of Iraq’s Anbar province to the Islamic State a temporary setback that Iraqi forces would reverse with U.S. support. Experts dismissed that assessment as ludicrous.

“Delusional, really, is the better word,” Ali Khedery, a former U.S. official who served as an adviser to five U.S. ambassadors to Iraq and three heads of U.S. Central Command, said of the administration’s statement. “It’s unbelievable, frankly. I now know what it’s like to have lived through Vietnam, I guess.”

Experts called the loss a stunning blow to the Iraqi government and U.S. strategy.

It wasn’t clear why the administration clung to an upbeat message three days after the Islamic State overran most of Ramadi and a day after Iraq’s best special forces unit fled the city with other troops, local police and tribal fighters. The message was delivered in nearly identical verbiage by White House, State Department and Pentagon spokesmen and was reinforced by a statement from Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[Night Hides Not]

More likely ISIS used their “JV” team. Ask Obama.

The question I'd ask Obama is "what's the strategy when ISIS finally puts in their varsity?"

[Zhang Fei]

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/isis-pays-foreign-fighters-1-000-month-jordan-king-n209026

[fhayek]

Does this mean that Ann-Margret’s not coming?

[Zhang Fei]

If those numbers are anywhere near accurate, we are being brother-in-lawed.

A lot of these men probably don't exist as other than names on payrolls and quartermaster lists. This type of corruption goes back thousands of years.

[mojo114]

Sadly, you are correct.
I don’t recall CJCS being so political.

[DiogenesLamp]

I know what we need to do to solve this problem. We need more Homos and Transgenders, (Same thing) in the Military, and we need Women on Submarines and pretending to be Rangers.

When ISIS sees how we include lunatics and unqualified people in our ranks, they will laugh themselves to death.

[DiogenesLamp]

The Sunnis and Shiites hate each other, but one thing they can agree on, is us Infidels should be targeted by both.-Tom

What a time for there to be idiots in charge of the nation. Thank you media. You've outdone yourself with Barry the stupid.

[CMB_polarization]

Tis but a minor setback to the Obama admin. because it forces the sunni army to accept help from the shiite militia and its backup, Iran.

[Texas Songwriter]

Are you going to believe Obama or your lying eyes? Does anyone believe anything the Obama administration says?

[Lil Flower]

WTH are we actually dropping bombs on over there? Didn’t I read early today on FR that Isis now has open, unfettered travel from Ramahdi into Syria? If that’s true how is that possible? What are we bombing? We can’t even cut off supply routes?

Larry, Curly and Moe couldn’t screw this up this bad.

[Lil Flower]

Khedery: 6,000 Iraqi forces fell to 150 ISIS fighters What? What? Oh my God in Heaven. I'm just about ready to cut myself off from news all together. My nerves can't take much more.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Khedery: 6,000 Iraqi forces fell to 150 ISIS fighters

Yeah, that tends to happen whenever about 5,000 of the "forces" actually sympathize with the "fighters."

[VTenigma]

That’s not a bug, it’s a feature.

[Mister Da]

“Delusional” is the wrong characterization. Gross incompetence combined with timidity in all things military better describes Obama & Co.

[upchuck]

The message was delivered in nearly identical verbiage by White House, State Department and Pentagon spokesmen and was reinforced by a statement from Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ahhh... the joys of talking points via email.

[ecomcon]

What, exactly, are the ISF’s fighting for? They don’t have a whole lot of incentive. Islam is Islam.

[Gritty]

Experts called the loss a stunning blow to the Iraqi government and U.S. strategy.

The U.S. has a "strategy" in Iraq?

Who knew?

[MeshugeMikey]

Its so heartwarming to read someone calling Obie from Nairobi DELUSIONAL on a source outside Free Republic for a change!!