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Sure, that scenario is realistic. So are several others. I do not believe that we would no anything so drastic as moving 100 or more miles without being prepared to do it.

I do not think that a move of that size was just opportunistic. It was planned.

They knew where the RG was. The RG destruction is a necessary step to getting rid of saddam. I believe they planned to get where they are now. Pause for resupply, regroup, re-orient, rest, get a logistics base and degrade the RG before going tank to tank and man to man.

This also lets them see what the Iraqi capabilites and intentions are.

I think the US forces are right where they intended to be and will adjust to the Iraqi defense.

They may be rehearsing the taking of Bagdad in Basra.

I'm no war expert but it looks like the intent was to get to Baghdad and cut it off from the rest of Iraq. Then you focus on softening up the Republican Guard, find an opening, then make the move. Also, why rush into a possible chemical or biological attack, when given time to bomb, this problem may be elliminated. Also,with this first group positioning itself to cut off, you could use fresh troups coming in to finish the job. I keep reading about the groups of marines from Saudi Arabia and through Jordan. Maybe they will finish the job.