Troops prepare to plug `new weak link' on border

Chicago Tribune ^

[jmc1969]

The smuggling route couldn't be more obvious.

The well-worn footpath snakes across the Syrian desert, over a small mound of dirt that serves as the feeble barrier between Iraq and its western neighbor and juts through a wire fence that long ago was slashed to leave a 3-foot gap.

Army Capt. Eric Fortin shook his head as he surveyed the terrain.

"You need to understand something," Fortin told the dozen Iraqi Border Patrol soldiers gathered around him. "The U.S. forces are currently conducting major operations just south of here, in al-Anbar province, where the bulk of the foreign fighters and weapons have been coming into Iraq.

"In the coming weeks, that border will effectively be sealed off. The insurgents are going to be looking for the new weak link in the Iraqi-Syrian border, and we are very afraid it is going to be here," he said.

The Iraqis smiled and nodded at the sunburned American officer. Again and again they promised that inshallah--God willing--the border would become a no-go zone for terrorists.

"That border is the equivalent of the New Jersey Turnpike for insurgents," said Col. H.R. McMaster, commander of the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which assumed control of the region about a month ago. "They come up, they pay their bribe or even just walk through without that, and they go off to do what they do."

[HiJinx]

Intelligence is the first best tool in planning warfare. Knowing where you expect to see the enemy takes away his element of surprise.

I just wish we could be that common-sensical at home...

[joesnuffy]

Hey! puttin' the military on the border really does work...

[So Cal Rocket]

Dangit... I thought they were talking about the US Border.

[thoughtomator]

Ditto that.

[AIC]

What happens to the ones caught taking bribes to let the terrorist go through and just look the other way?

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Dang, should of fixed that hole in the fence two years ago!

[BubbaBobTX]

Me too. The Mayor of Loredo Texas has asked our Gov Rick Perry to bring in the TX National Guard to protect his city from the invasion and drug war going on South of the Boder. Gov Rick's response was........Oh we are still waiting don't hold your breath.

[Americanexpat]

Good informative article, thanks for posting. The way they load some of these trucks coming across the borders , there is no way you can insure weapons are not coming across without unloading every single one of them. That won't happen. Makes it easier to get your bribe when you threaten to do that.

I still believe there should be a curfew on crossing the border. No movement at night and blow up everything that moves from the border. Won't stop all of it but it will put a helluva dint in it.

[sixmil]

Our border policy has proven idiotic in Iraq as well. How long will the logical disconnect continue?