How to Win in Iraq-and How to Lose

Commentary ^ | April 2007 | Arthur Herman

[neverdem]

It's too bad that a counterinsurgency warfare strategy wasn't assumed from the get go. Although we knew Iraq was armed to the teeth, from wedding celebrations recognized by AK-47s blasting to the sky and at least over 600 unsecured, open air, ammumition depots, why didn't they expect prolonged resistance to a de facto occupation escapes me. The initial results in Afghanistan paved the way for such hubris, IMHO, and the reaction from the "copperhead" dems is even more idiotic.

[CutePuppy]

We are beating this "insurgency" into the ground big time, we're only "losing" in the "hearts and minds" of American left and the media which are infecting uninformed people and even depressing informed ones, such as many here on FR.

[ClaireSolt]

Bush has been reading about Algeria, but Mark Steyn says that the congressmen don't read anything. There is a naive asumption among those who say things like last chance that we can stop the world because we want to get off. I think it is usefull to note in this context that it is Algerians who are burning cars and injured 2500 policemen in France last year. You can run but not hide. Better to finish the job and do it right now.

What history is there for the slogan "phased redeployment"? I can't think of any.

[MNJohnnie]

is indeed striking that war critics like Senators Harry Reid and Joseph Biden, who in 2005 were calling on the Pentagon to mount a proper counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq, and to send enough troops to make it happen

Be nice if this guy had a clue what he was talking about. This statement makes it clear he is an idiot that has NO clue how to wage a counter insurgency. There has not been ONE successful Counter Insurgency waged in history where the outside force pushed the locals to the margins and took over all operations with their own forces. No matter how successful eventually the occupying power gets worn out or develops other commitments and has to leave. The locals live there, we are going to leave. This notion that more US troops are the answer to every problem is idiotic. It is clear these people have learned NOTHING from the Russian in Afghanistan or US in Vietnam.

The idea that MORE troops was the key here is idiotic. It isn't that a paltry 30,000 more troops were sent, it was how the choose to USE the troops. It is the fact that they split the US troops so one US Batt works with each Iraqi Brigade. The problem was the US overestimated how quickly the Iraqi units could get up to speed. We simply failed to comprehend that we could not simply churn out units en mass. It takes time and effort to develop the sort of leadership cadre we have in place. Simply churning out a bunch of recruits, giving them guns and pointing them at the enemy is NOT going to work in this sort of mission.

[Wiz]

What? The French won a war? Come on, that must be some kind of joke. However, we can always learn from France for rich history of "failures", what should "not" be done.

[Blind Eye Jones]

Remember the the movie "Day Of The Jackal"? It's about the remnants of the French Army who felt betrayed by the Government's pullout from Algeria and put out a hit on De Gaul. I recently bought it and now, from reading this article, I understand a lot more of the history surrounding that period. I also remember a turban worn officer who was hired by Saddam talk on CNN about what was to happen during the occupation and he left me with the impression that it would be very ugly scene. He was right. I hope the surge has time to work and not have the leftist bastards destroy everything gained. History does repeat itself.

[CutePuppy]

"This notion that more US troops are the answer to every problem is idiotic."
"It takes time and effort to develop the sort of leadership cadre we have in place."

Exactly. Same idiots who say we don't have enough troops to "win the war" wanted to send 500,000 (Shinseki "plan") to defeat Saddam's army (we did that faster and with lower casualties with much smaller number), which, of course, we couldn't keep there permanently anyway. We were not interested in "occupation" of Iraq, that why transfer of political power and elections happened so quickly, much faster than with Japan and Germany that we did occupy after WWII.

It's always been a matter of time and resolve to train native military and police so we can reduce (not entirely remove) the number of our troops.

That's why I don't like characterization of "the surge" (especially "last and final effort"), because it gives an appearance that all we need is larger numbers of troops, and if that "fails" (and we know who is defining "success" and "failure", "winning" and "losing") then that will show that we can't "win" in Iraq even with larger numbers.

The challenge of "winning" and "losing" is not militarily in Iraq, it's politically with the "hearts and minds" here at home (just like Vietnam's was).

And, of course, resolving Iran "issue" would greatly help with both, which is why Dems are trying to undercut that already with phony Congressional resolutions.

[paddles]

Great article. Thanks for posting.

[CutePuppy]

"Mark Steyn says that the congressmen don't read anything."

Unfortunately, by that Mark gives the impression and implication that they don't know what they're talking about because they are ignorant about military and counterinsurgency strategies. That wouldn't be half bad, because it could be explained, and they could be educated on the subject. Sadly, that is not the case, as they fully know and understand that it will result in defeat, which is what they desire and are invested in, for their own political power.

Them being ignorant could be pitied and often remedied; them doing everything they can to ensure our defeat in a battle during World War (Global War On Terror) is nothing less than traitorous and despicable.

[Jim Noble]

This is an excellent review.

But Algeria was part of France. Iraq is not part of America.

And for this type of CI to succeed over there, Americans have to care abut the fate of Iraq.

And, for the most part, we don't.

[neverdem]

This is an excellent review.

But Algeria was part of France. Iraq is not part of America.

And for this type of CI to succeed over there, Americans have to care abut the fate of Iraq.

And, for the most part, we don't.

Bin Laden and his Islamic brethren seem to have convinced themselves that they, without our help, defeated the Russkies in Afghanistan. Part of their delusion seems to be that we, as opposed to the Russkies, would be the easier nut to crack. Don't be surprised if the crap hits the fan, e.g. The Grand Delusion, and we wind up with CW II. IMHO, we're living in interesting times.

[archy]

Remember the the movie "Day Of The Jackal"? It's about the remnants of the French Army who felt betrayed by the Government's pullout from Algeria and put out a hit on De Gaul. I recently bought it and now, from reading this article, I understand a lot more of the history surrounding that period.

Good start. Now try The Praetorians, by French author Jear Larteguy, also the basis for the movie, The Lost Command, starring Anthony Quinn.

Then you can move onto the advanced material, if you like: Bigeard [on whom the fictional Col. Raspeguy in the novels The Centurions and The Praetorians is probably based,] wrote a dozen or so books, Massu, [Commander, 10 Para] Roger Trinquier and Paul Aussaresses, for a good start.

It's quite an education....

[archy]

Part of their delusion seems to be that we, as opposed to the Russkies, would be the easier nut to crack.

And won't we have some interesting surprises for them! IMHO, our greatest problems will be coming from the sellouts and Quislings trying to earn the gratitude of their muslum masters.

Don't be surprised if the crap hits the fan, e.g. The Grand Delusion, and we wind up with CW II. IMHO, we're living in interesting times.

Oh, no; it won't surprise me a bit; nor does the more-and-more likely prospect of CWII. I'm far more concerned about the effects on those who'll be picking and mopping up afterward.

But some of them are ready for it too, even to the point of looking forward to it.

[jude24]

On the one hand, events in that country have taken a more hopeful direction in recent months. Operations in the city of Najaf in January presaged a more effective burden-sharing between American and Iraqi troops than in the past. The opening moves of the so-called “surge” in Baghdad, involving increased American patrols and the steady addition of more than 21,000 ground troops, have begun to sweep Shiite militias from the streets, while their leader, Moqtada al Sadr, has gone to ground. Above all, the appointment of Lieutenant General David Petraeus, the author of the U.S. Army’s latest counterinsurgency field manual, as commander of American ground forces in Iraq bespeaks the Pentagon’s conviction that what we need to confront the Iraq insurgency is not more high-tech firepower but the time-tested methods of unconventional or “fourth-generation” warfare.

This is a very well-done piece. It is, in fact, fairly reflective of the position I've been hearing around school from military members and military-informed academics.

[archy]

Above all, the appointment of Lieutenant General David Petraeus, the author of the U.S. Army’s latest counterinsurgency field manual, as commander of American ground forces in Iraq bespeaks the Pentagon’s conviction that what we need to confront the Iraq insurgency is not more high-tech firepower but the time-tested methods of unconventional or “fourth-generation” warfare.

This is a very well-done piece. It is, in fact, fairly reflective of the position I've been hearing around school from military members and military-informed academics.

Hmmmm. Petraus...CFR member? Why...YES, there he is, #3010 on the list

3010. PETRAEUS DAVID H,CFR '92,,

[jude24]

So....?

[Tolik]

Very Interesting!

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[ReleaseTheHounds]

Most wars are lost, not won. To most Americans, the nearest example of a failed war is Vietnam.

This brings to mind that America was on the verge of losing the Cold War as well in the late 1970's -- giving in to the inevitable march of Communism. Richard Nixon's "Detente" and Jimmy Carter's feckless response to Soviet insurgencies in Afghanistan, Africa and South America. The mainstream media was throwing in the towel and the American people were getting used to the idea that America's pinnacle had been reached and now we were on the decline.

Then a LEADER came along who believed in a few simple but very important things and who was uncanny in his ability to articulate what the American people REALLY believed and hoped for. And nine years after he came into office, the great "super power" Soviet Union collapsed into the dustbin of history that this leader had suggested it would.

Unfortunately, we have not been as blessed during this current challenge in the War on Terror. I respect President Bush's instincts and leadership in mounting the assault, but he has failed (or he has been let down by his war planners) to make the needed adjustments early enough to keep the public support behind him. And unfortunately, he's far from being the Great Communicator that is needed in difficult times to rally the American people.

I know we can turn it around -- I just don't know if we can do it in a timely fashion or with enough sustained success to overcome the constant negative drumbeat coming out of Congress and the mainstream media. Challenging times.

[Valin]

But Algeria was part of France.

Or so said the French...the Algerians OTOH had other ideas.

[agincourt1415]

Bump for later reading.