[victoryatallcosts]

As much as I hate to say it, it's probably the right call. The only real reason to bother fighting for the city street-by-street would be, well, I can't think of a very good reason to do so if they're contained within. After all, there doesn't sound like there's much reason to give a damn about the civilians in that particular city. Let them rot.

In a better time, we'd simply raze the city: but now isn't such a time.

[ConservativeMan55]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[victoryatallcosts]

The whole problem in facing off against this offensive is that we're tied up by the sensibilities of the American people who, after all, get to vote fairly soon.

The 1920 revolt in Iraq was supressed by the British via village-burning expiditions and other reprisals. Anyone think that could be gotten away with these days?

[section9]

One of the things that may be happening is that the jihadi are being ground down. Marine Sniper Scouts are having an absolute field day over there, and I strongly suspect that it was decided that the enemy could be cordoned and sliced up quietly.

The jihadis have been trying to break out because they are trapped. They came out and fought us in one location, and now we'll pick them off in detail.

If we go in hellsbells, we are likely to lose guys the Jenin way-boobytraps and countersniping. Now there are ways around that, but I strongly suspect that, given the fact that Sadr has been completely deballed, it has been decided that there is no rush to wrap up Fallujah.

Of course, this is all moot. The stupid rags will see this as weakness and begin a series of attacks. Then we'll be forced to crush them.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[kabar]

If there are 2000 hard core terrorists inside the city, we will have to kill most of them. We have them trapped. If they escape, we will have to face them again under different circumstances. We made a mistake in stopping thereby raising the stakes. We have made these vermin into heroes.

[Let's Roll]

As long as we keep them under seige - I don't care if we ever go in - but what about the talk of shared patrols with Iraqis etc.? That is a recipe for disaster - it will just allow them to keep picking our guys off one at a time. GRRR!

[gibonski]

It reminds me of some Jimmy Carters decision.I cannot believe this.