Posted on 08/21/2007 6:39:37 PM PDT by Tennessean4Bush
How to Spy in Iraq
By Michael J. Totten
BAGHDAD – American soldiers arrived in Iraq in 2003 with not much of a plan and little idea what to expect. The Iraqi government, military, and police were overthrown and disbanded under de-Baathification. Most Iraqis who knew how to run the country were either sent home or imprisoned. Americans were in charge of just about everything even though they had no experience running even their own country let alone a traumatized and suspicious Arab society. They were confounded by its exotic and dysfunctional ways. When Sunni and Shia militias launched wars against each other and against the Americans, confusion turned to bewilderment.
General David Petraeus fared better than other American commanders in cracking the code of Iraqi society and reducing the insurgency in Mosul from an explosion to a simmer. I saw some of the results of his strategy’s expansion to Baghdad with troops in the 82nd Airborne Division. Instead of staying on base and training Iraqis while security disintegrated outside the wire, they moved into a neighborhood in Baghdad where they now live and work among the civilian population 24 hours a day.
(Excerpt) Read more at michaeltotten.com ...
bttt mice elf
I stopped reading after: (Americans were in charge of just about everything even though they had no experience running even their own country let alone a traumatized and suspicious Arab society.)
You've misinterpreted this statement. This is a great article.
I’m sorry you quit reading.
It’s a wonderful article.
Thank you for posting it, T4B.
“How to Spy in Iraq ^
Posted by Tennessean4Bush
On News/Activism ^ 08/21/2007 6:39:37 PM PDT · 3 replies · 169+ views”
169 views ain’t bad at all.
I wish more would read it, though.
It shows that our guys are winning.
I was surprised to see that Totten is from Portland, OR.
Since I live in the area...extremely surprised, and delighted.
Thanks, again, T4B!
I went to bed, but couldn’t stop thinking that this thread didn’t get the notice that it deserved.
Our guys are doing an AWESOME job.
Some of the things they are doing isn’t in their job description.
SandRat...duty calls!
I know you won’t disappoint, and I thank you in advance.
I agree, it’s an article worth reading. It helps us understand the culture better, and puts a more human face on things there. Thanks!
Yep. Very impressive article, and much better journalism than one would find anywhere in the “main-stream” media.
Great article by Michael J. Totten
FYI
I suppose one could make a case that it might not be as well written as an article that perhaps Michael Yon would write, but it’s just as real, simply written , and when I read it, I could feel as if I were in on that conversation with the Iraqis.
An I-don’t-know-if-you-have-read-this-yet ping
Another I-don’t-know-if-you-have-read-this-yet pong
An I-don’t-know-if-you-have-read-this-yet ping
Thanks for the responses. It is indeed a great article that further underscores the fact that ours is the most incredible fighting force in the history of the world.
Excellent article.
A IRAQ WOT thread that the MSM won’t report on.
ping to a great article.
Ping.
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