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~~succumbed to terminal twit-ness...~~

this is the first time in my life that I hope I am a total twit. But for someone who has lived in the Middle East for 20+ yrs, I can say with some expertise that from initial appearance, this whole thing is not being hanldled in a decisive manner that will gain the control and respect of people in that region. People whom I have interacted with and understand.

Too many Americans view events from the viewpoint of rational modernists or like most of us, from our own prisms, encompassing modern thought, the viability of negotiations, fruitful compromises and meaningful concessions to achieve a commonality.

That's not how homey looks at it.

ANd the message of Falluja is :

Look we held off the Americans for a month.

"ut for someone who has lived in the Middle East for 20+ yrs"

Well, since you've lived in the area and (presumably) have picked up a sense of how things work over there, I've a mildly off-topic question for you. Would the Arabs have held us in any higher regard if we'd bombed the hell out of Fallujah from 30,000 ft? I suspect they would not, simply because dropping bombs from above shows technology at work, rather than the strength of our people. Also, would it have made a significant difference in how we were viewed if we'd done something more 'hands-on', such as seal off Fallujah and send in massive numbers of troops, tanks, and armoured vehicles supported by Spectres and helicopters in order to completely dismantle the resistance there? I've been thinking this would make for a drastic difference in how we were regarded, but I'm certainly not an expert in how things work over there.

I know you can't speak for everybody, but with what you know of the culture from your time spent there, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.