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It's a dicey situation over in Fallujah right now. Our real problem is that the Iraqi police and security turned tail and ran almost immediately at the first sign of real trouble. (Same thing happened with the LA police in the Rodney King riots--they were told to pull back).

If they'd stood up just a little bit and called for a hell of a lot of USMC help, we wouldn't be in the siege situation we're in now. This new former-Saddam military guy may just be what we need, and it will be a lot better and easier now that the rebels are softened up, if Iraqis start these patrols, with us providing support from the air.

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DJtex,

I, like a lot of others, was initially appalled at the "apparent" US decision to withdraw the USMC siege at Fallujah.

However, I read last night an analysis that indicated that the US "surprise" selection of a former Iraqi army general to lead a (former) Iraqi army battalion to clean-up Fallujah was actually a good idea.

First, it send a message to the Shia/Sunnis that they're NOT the ONLY show in town (politically).

Second. My "just realized thought" is that those Iraqi patrols through Fallujah's "Golan District" will gather incredibly important intelligence about the rebels' strength and disposition. We already know a lot about this (vis-a-vis Predators and Satellites), and it'll be a GREAT test to see if the "new allies" (Iraqi general & crew) are trust-worthy.

Third. The Islamic-Syrian-Terrorists aren't going ANYWHERE.

We learned that lesson the hard way in Afghanistan.

I believe the ultimate USMC military goal is to EXTERMINATE those thugs, until all are decimated.

The U.S. could get a GREAT Iraqi-PR spin out of this deal:

1) The "rebellion" is exterminated
2) Iraqis are presented as a major role
3) The Sunnis/Shias chill-out and play ball with the U.S.
4) Iranian-Syrian agents are exterminated.
5) The American People see Iraqis "finally" in the fight for democracy

Patton@Bastogne

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The "turned tail on first engagement" is such a common situation that in "war-gaming" such units are given a 50% or so decrease in force. The most incredible thing the US military has been able to do is train our guys in such a manner that we seldom have much of that factor in play.

This mechanism will help the Iraqis get their sea legs while under the supervision of much better trained military units, and that will greatly assist their coming responsibility for security.

I truly think that Fallujah was a God-send, not a detriment, to the hand-over process.