[PzLdr]

The Army didn't put itself into those places you mentioned. Your political leadership did. Spare me Messiahs who come in with the concept that light brigade size units are the answer to all military problems. And by the way, did you notice that Iraq took two of the heaviest divisions left in the Army? In point of fact, the last two major US victories (Afghanistan being the exception) were classic blitzkriegs). And I don't think you can plan on a war with China where they just sit there and let us do what we want. Rumsfeld"s flexibility is no flexibility at all. It's his vision or no vision. I thought what he did to Sheshinski, and the Sec/Army was a disgrace. And I think his theories of how to make war are bull sh*t.

[axes_of_weezles]

So, Kosovo and Haiti were blitzkreigs? Who was the leadership then? Are you one of Clarks' wunderkind?

Rumsfeld I am sure, gives the services enough rope to hang themselves. They have to be flexible, and that is what Rummy is trying to forment within the Army. TRADOC does not run wars, the JCS, the theater CINC, and the Secdef -do. They have the bigger picture of what each of the services and supporting agencies are capable of.

Like the Army is going to reach out and touch China - I dont think so. China is just as hamstrung as we are, limited air/sea lift. The only other option is Specops and Airpower to beat em back until sealanes and airlanes of communication can be had.

[Justa]

I generally agree with the article and all your posts on the thread. Rumsfeld stiffed the ground troops on the Iraq invasion and occupation, believing airpower and Special Ops could defeat and occupy Iraq. A entire nation cannot transform itself from a military dictatorship to democracy overnight, especially when the former leadership was forcefully removed and remains in hiding with assistance from neighboring countries.

The Germans were under the control the Nazis for 10 years; the Iraqis were under the control of the Ba'athists for 30 years.

If the US had to keep hundreds of thousands of troops in Germany and Japan several years after the war what history was Rumsfeld referencing when he approved 150,000 for the war and 30,000 for the occupation?

[jatticus]

Thanks PZldr. I agree.