Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

CIA exercise reveals consequences of defeat
THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | December 21, 2006 | Rowan Scarborough

Posted on 12/21/2006 9:15:47 PM PST by Ooh-Ah

The CIA this month conducted a simulation of how the Iraq war affects the global jihadist movement, and one conclusion was that a U.S. loss would embolden al Qaeda to expand its ranks of terrorists as well as pick new strategic targets, according to sources familiar with the two-day exercise.
...
... key finding appears to bolster Mr. Bush's contention that a U.S. loss in Iraq will have far-reaching ramifications.

At a press conference yesterday, Mr. Bush said, "A lot of Americans understand the consequences of retreat. Retreat would embolden radicals. It would hurt the credibility of the United States. Retreat from Iraq would dash the hopes of millions who want to be free. Retreat from Iraq would enable the extremists and radicals to more likely be able to have safe haven from which to plot and plan further attacks."

Al Qaeda has made stopping democracy in Iraq a top priority, according to U.S. military officials. It has recruited hundreds of suicide bombers to come to Iraq and inflict mass casualties to spur a Sunni-Shi'ite Muslim civil war. The group wants to wear down U.S. troops to the point where they will retreat. Al Qaeda's ultimate goal is to turn Iraq and other Middle East countries into hard-line Islamic states, U.S. military officials say.

... Jihadists perceived the victory over the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in 1988 as a seminal event that spawned the creation of al Qaeda under the direction of Osama bin Laden.
...
"When we did the simulation, the ramifications were enormous,".... The source said al Qaeda will proclaim, "God has given us a second victory over a superpower.

"Imagine what defeat in Iraq would do," said the source. "Al Qaeda picks new targets after it thinks it's won."

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; cia; iraq; terrorism
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-30 next last

1 posted on 12/21/2006 9:15:49 PM PST by Ooh-Ah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/12/13/tape.transcript/
UBL: (...Inaudible...) when people see a strong horse and a weak horse,  by nature, they will like the strong horse.

2 posted on 12/21/2006 9:18:11 PM PST by Ooh-Ah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

Of course, this is why the MSM and the Democrats are so eager to see us lose. I remember when they were doing the same thing to help Communism expand.


3 posted on 12/21/2006 9:18:19 PM PST by elhombrelibre (Free Syria and Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel will all be secure.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: elhombrelibre
Of course, this is why the MSM and the Democrats are so eager to see us lose. I remember when they were doing the same thing to help Communism expand.

Aye, multiculturalism and "inclusiveness" has so brainwashed them that they truly believe that AQ and jihadist culture is some type of "noble savage" superior to their own. TRAITORS!

4 posted on 12/21/2006 9:21:01 PM PST by lightman (The Office of the Keys should be exercised as some ministry needs to be exorcised)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

"a U.S. loss would embolden al Qaeda to expand its ranks of terrorists as well as pick new strategic targets"

Oh man! Who was the "genius" who figured this out!

One thing for sure, it wasn't a dimocrat - they think everything would be "just fine" if we'd just leave the terrorists alone...


5 posted on 12/21/2006 9:22:51 PM PST by GVNR (If I had but one life to give to my country I'd take at least one muslim with me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lightman

"Mister" Bush? Do they mean PRESIDENT Bush?


6 posted on 12/21/2006 9:23:04 PM PST by Stump
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

A little of the specific subject, but I HAVE to ask: Does it irk anyone else, that theMSM insists on referring to our President as "Mr. Bush"?

Remember when America had respect for the President of the United States? . . . 'course that was before the socialists leftists took over so many of our institutions.


7 posted on 12/21/2006 9:27:43 PM PST by GVNR (If I had but one life to give to my country I'd take at least one muslim with me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Stump
Mr. Bush...

Glad you caught that. How many ways do his enemies stab.

Think of being in his place and knowing that even "friends" may not be trustworthy. Colin Powell comes to mind as does Colin's minions.

What stress must he (POTUS Bush) face everyday!

He is truly an amazing individual and President.
8 posted on 12/21/2006 9:27:51 PM PST by Prost1 (Fair and Unbiased as always!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

"The CIA this month conducted a simulation of how the Iraq war affects the global jihadist movement, and one conclusion was that a U.S. loss would embolden al Qaeda to expand its ranks of terrorists as well as pick new strategic targets."

I've got to pay the CIA to come up with this great revelation! It took me all of 30 seconds after we invaded Iraq to come to the same conclusion !!!


9 posted on 12/21/2006 9:29:25 PM PST by Obie Wan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

Is it just me, or have the Dems suddenly STFU when it comes to withdrawal???

Now they see that losing in Iraq would be ten times worse than losing Vietnam.


10 posted on 12/21/2006 9:40:48 PM PST by Paloma_55 (I may be a hateful bigot, but I still love you)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

Bookmark


11 posted on 12/21/2006 9:40:54 PM PST by GOP Poet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Stump

That "dis" has been SOP by the MSM since he was elected for his first term.


12 posted on 12/21/2006 9:41:41 PM PST by Atchafalaya (When you are there thats the best)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah
I did a Google News search on this story. UPI did a story which has run in some foreign papers. The AP, the networks, NYT and WP are ignoring it so far. No surprise.
13 posted on 12/21/2006 9:42:39 PM PST by Brad from Tennessee (Anything a politician gives you he has first stolen from you)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brad from Tennessee

So, can I assume that the CIA will stop leaking and otherwise undermining the mission?


14 posted on 12/21/2006 9:45:30 PM PST by ClaireSolt (Have you have gotten mixed up in a mish-masher?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah
The CIA this month conducted a simulation of how the Iraq war affects the global jihadist movement, and one conclusion was that a U.S. loss would embolden al Qaeda

They had to run a computer simulation to figure this out? I'm surprised that the East Coast, liberal a**holes at CIA didn't set the GIGO to come up with a "Al Qaeda will go back to goat farming" result.
15 posted on 12/21/2006 9:50:56 PM PST by struwwelpeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClaireSolt
If this had been a leak it would have gone to the Times, Post, CBS or Newsweek.

Did a Yahoo News search:

1. CIA conducts 'failure in Iraq' exercise Open this result in new window
UPI - Dec 21 7:21 AM
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The CIA conducted a secret role-playing exercise in Virginia involving 75 participants to investigate what would happen if the United States fails in Iraq.
Save
2. CIA exercise reveals consequences of defeat (Rowan Scarborough / THE WASHINGTON TIMES) Open this result in new window
The Washington Times - Dec 20 10:07 PM
The CIA this month conducted a simulation of how the Iraq war affects the global jihadist movement, and one conclusion was that a U.S. loss would embolden al Qaeda to expand its ranks of terrorists as well as pick new strategic targets, according to source. . .
That's it.
16 posted on 12/21/2006 9:55:28 PM PST by Brad from Tennessee (Anything a politician gives you he has first stolen from you)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: GVNR

A couple weeks ago, Harry Reid was calling him "that man." That's infinitely worse and reveals what a low-brow, absolutely classless slob the Senate leader is.


17 posted on 12/21/2006 10:32:45 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

key finding appears to bolster Mr. Bush's contention that a U.S. loss in Iraq will have far-reaching ramifications

Hello Teddy, are you listening?
Somehow I doubt he is.


18 posted on 12/21/2006 11:08:05 PM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paloma_55

Is it just me, or have the Dems suddenly STFU when it comes to withdrawal???

Rest assured it WILL be back.

"He's a one trick pony
He either fails or he succeeds
He gives his testimony
Then he relaxes in the weeds
He's got one trick to last a lifetime
But that's all a pony needs"
Paul Simon


19 posted on 12/21/2006 11:12:18 PM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Ooh-Ah

This note's for you.

Somewhere between Thanksgiving (giving thanks) and Christmas (Christmas blessings) are your posts. The threads you post are right on target and most are timeless. Thank you.


20 posted on 12/21/2006 11:36:25 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-30 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson