On War #9: No Exit

Free Congress Foundation ^ | March 26, 2003 | William S. Lind

[Tallguy]

In June of 1944, when Field Marshal von Rundstedt, the German commander in France, was told that the Allies were landing in Normandy, he knew exactly what to do. He went out into the garden and pruned his roses.

Von Rundstedt knew that in war, early reports, regardless of whether the news is good or bad, are usually misleading. Reacting to them with "instant analysis" merely makes the problem worse. That is as true for the war in Iraq as for any other war. For now, we need to wait. Only time can offer clarity.

What we can do now is discuss possibilities. I see three broad, possible outcomes to this war. None of them is good.

[Tallguy]

Lind is always good for a contrarian point of view, but I wonder where he thinks the Iraqis are going to find the combat power to truly interdict our supply lines?

His predictions for what follows this war are pretty gloomy also.

[demlosers]

Lind is always good for a contrarian point of view, but I wonder where he thinks the Iraqis are going to find the combat power to truly interdict our supply lines?

They will rub the Genie bottle and ask for wish.

The sand storms has done more to slow the supply lines than what the Iraqis can do.
The press is dumb to think otherwise.

[dfwgator]

I too worry about Iraq after this war. Like Yugoslavia, it was a country that attempted to mix ancient adversaries into one country. The Kurds, Iranians, Turks are all vultures waiting to pick on the carcass of Iraq. The Ba'athists will go underground, or move to Syria, which will probably draw us into a war with Syria. I'm not worried about the war, it's the aftermath that is going to be very tricky.

[sam_paine]

Well, he forgot #4: Do NOTHING and let the world deveolve into UN sponsored chaos anyway.

[Chi-townChief]

Hopefully, this is just wishful thinking on Lind's part.

[m1911]

This type of defense was first developed by the German army during World War I (early critics called it the "let them walk right in defense"), and it was the standard German defense during World War II.

Uhh, Mr. Lind, how did Germany do with that defense? How many American armies surrendered because of it?

[js1138]

it's the aftermath that is going to be very tricky.

That's why the UN needs to butt out.

[Tallguy]

Uhh, Mr. Lind, how did Germany do with that defense? How many American armies surrendered because of it?

Lind likes to hold German Maneuver Warfare (Blitzkrieg) up as an example of all that's Holy in 3rd Generation Warfare. While the Germans were great tactically, and practically perfected the "operational art", they ultimately lost (twice) because they neglected the Strategic Level of War. Strategy trumps all.

[mass55th]

From my WWII desk calendar for this date:

On this day in 1942, Governor Harold Stassen (R) apparently decides that being governor of Minnesota is not doing enough for the war effort and announces his intention to resign from office and take up active duty in the navy, with the rank of lieutenant commander.

[homeontheplain]

I bet you won't see any politicians (Rep or Dem) today doing that.

[Semper Paratus]

He went out into the garden and pruned his roses.

He might as well, he knew Hitler was convinced of the invasion in the Pas-de-Calais and wouldn't order any of those panzers to Normady.

[mass55th]

I bet you won't see any politicians (Rep or Dem) today doing that.

The only one that might come close is Gov. Sanford of S.C. I understand he is in the reserves and may end up being called.