US Embassy in Iraq hit by rocket

[kendu]

2 dead 16 injured, as per Fox news

[skip_intro]

You can bet a lot of insurgents will get ambushed by snipers and whatnot on the way to targets; I'm sure they'll suffer massive casualties, potentially backbreaking

Is this from personal knowledge, or simply wishful thinking?

The terrorists have had a long time to plan for this. I doubt that they're going to just walk into ambushes.

Now if we - and the Iraqi's, expecially the Iraqi's - were to take the initiative and go after them, maybe your massive casualties prediction might be right.

[Maceman]

well, I haven't fought the VC and you have, but I would rather take on Iraqi insurgents than VC, from what I can see.

Well, I haven't fought either, but I understand that the Israelis have a saying: "If we have to have enemies, thank God they're Arabs."

[Strategerist]

Plus Arabs are pussies.

Eh, I think a lot of Israelis who fought in 1973 might disagree with you.

They're not hopeless or genetically incapable of being good troops. The British-trained Jordanians were quite good. On a tactical level the Egyptians between 1968 and 1973 really got themselves respectable though they still ended up screwing up on a grand-tactical and operational level once they got over the canal.

And historically the Arabs managed to beat the Mongols (something they share in common with the Vietnamese; few countries were able to beat them) so they've had their moments in the past.

Their military problems since WWII are largely a result of corrupt government and the problems resulting from that.

[lolhelp]

Another direct attack on USA. I think it is time to bomb any building that is harboring these terrorist, holy to them or not.

[JesseJane]

Because the people FEARED the OLD ARMY AND POLICE. Also, most of them 'melted' into the population for fear of being killed because of what THEY DID to their own people.

[Lazamataz]

Their military problems since WWII are largely a result of corrupt government and the problems resulting from that.

I wish I saved the link to a LONG article that detailed why Arabs suck in combat. Something about initiative being discouraged and information being hoarded. It's cultural.

[tallhappy]

All depends on how the media spins it though.

What do you mean depends? Depends indicates there is a chance the media would spin it in a way other than negative.

[Strategerist]

We've had a long time to plan for this as well. I'm sure there will be a lot of attacks and a lot of Americans (but mostly Iraqis) killed in the next day or two. But I'm sure the number of insurgents killed will be enormous.

If you recall the Tet Offensive it really (and this has since been confirmed by the Vietnamese themselves) resulted in the Viet Cong being essentially annihilated....

However, the footage of VC inside the US Embassy Compound in Saigon, etc. made it look like a horrible defeat for the US, especially to Walter Conkrite.

[Strategerist]

I know the article you're referring to.

Culture isn't permanent, however. Things change over time.

[Lazamataz]

I know the article you're referring to. Culture isn't permanent, however. Things change over time.

Cultural changes are the most difficult of all.

Besides, I thought we were talking about Arabs *now*, not Arabs in 2117. ;^)

[demkicker]

We can't even protect our own embassy. How sad. Donald Rumsfeld should be court marshalled just for being stupid.

Is that you Kerry, or is it Ted Kennedy? This is war, man. Unfortunately casualties are a result. Donald Rumsfeld has given full permission to his military subordinates to do any and everything to pre-empt attacks on our military. Get your head out and stop with the damning remarks, which only aid and abeit our enemies. Unless you have specific information that Rumsfeld has given orders of a negligent nature, STFU.

[demlosers]

[WHBates]

???? I guess your problem is with Rumsfield in general and is somewhat larger than this incident???

[demlosers]

[Palladin]

Agree, Bossy. We've got some dead wood at the top in Defense. Time to bring out the chainsaw.

[Starboard]

Ted Kennedy must be celebrating.

---

Yep, he timed his latest outburst knowing that violence would be on the upswing. Its pathetic to seen an American Senator rooting rooting against democracy. Unfortunately non of his Democratic colleagues will repudiate him because they are so anti-Bush.

[MEG33]

"All depends on how the media spins it though"
I know how the media will spin it...just like they did Tet.

[Palladin]

This is the first time I've heard you being optimistic. Usually, you are a factual realist.

[TatieBug]

Praying my brother in law who is Deputy Director-Iraq Reconstruction Mgmt-Room M227 of the Embassy working and living there will write he is okay. PRAY he's alive at this moment. God Bless American!

[ASA Vet]

Their military problems since WWII are largely a result of adopting Soviet OB.