Strategy Watch
Saddam Huesein may attempt a scorched earth strategy to defend the Iraqi capital. In the past he has used floods and fires to avoid defeat and he may try again. The problem with a scorched earth strategy is that it is only effective against an invasion that is dependent on finding supplies as it advances. The strategy worked for the Russians against Napolean and Hitler. However, Iraq is not a place that an army would depend on foraging for supplies. The last time an American army used foraging as a means of sustaining an attack was in Sherman's march through Georgia. Saddam will attempt to make his fall as messy as possible. He will still fall.
Anti War Shows
Anti war demonstrations are made up of people who have taken counsel of their fears. Some fear that the US will win, and in this country there may be some who fear the US will lose. There are other fears--Iraq civilian casualties for example. Despots like Saddam play on such fears in an attempt to win without having to fight a battle.
Those in this country who fear that the US may lose, fear a repeat of the mistakes that turned Vietnam into a quagmire. While Saddam would like to create such a problem, it only happens when inadequate force is used, and the force that is used is prevented from taking effective action.
In Europe there is a phobic reaction to the use of force by the US in some quarters. Many of those who marched Saturday, probably marched against the installation of Pershing missles in Europe during the 80's. There is still a group of Europeans who think the wrong side won the cold war. With the exception of Germany none were on the other side of the iron curtain.
For those who fear high Iraqi casualties, it is unlikely that any such casualties will be inflicted by the US. With all the talk about urban warfare, people forget the effectiveness of US bombing in Kabul where al Queda houses were the only ones on the street that were hit. The highest probability of large casualties would come from Saddam's use of WPM in an urban setting where civilians would have no protection. While the US will try to prevent such attacts, those lives would be on his hands.
Those who take counsel of their fears are willing to see a despot stay in power, and continue to abuse and kill his people.
French Proposal Rejected
Saddam has rejected the French plan for beefed up inspections. The plan had already been rejected by the US and the UK. While getting rid of WMD is the focus of UN resolution 1441, there are other reasons for regime change in Iraq. The abuse of his people was mentioned above. However, Bush has made it clear on many occassions that he intends to stop Saddam Huesin from providing weapons to others who would use them to attack the US in such a way that his fingerprints were not on the attack. Unstated is a question tht is on the minds of many Americans. What if Saddam Huessin hired al Queda and other to attack the US on numerous occasions since he lost the Gulf War? The attacks in New York, Washington, Africa, Saudi Arabia as well as the atacks on the Cole may just be Saddams retaliation for the attacks he has been getting since 1991. One of the names bin Laden is called is "the Contractor." It is possible that he is a contract killer for Iraq. The US may find out when sifting through the ruins of Saddam's regime.
Saddam Huesein may attempt a scorched earth strategy to defend the Iraqi capital. In the past he has used floods and fires to avoid defeat and he may try again. The problem with a scorched earth strategy is that it is only effective against an invasion that is dependent on finding supplies as it advances. The strategy worked for the Russians against Napolean and Hitler. However, Iraq is not a place that an army would depend on foraging for supplies. The last time an American army used foraging as a means of sustaining an attack was in Sherman's march through Georgia. Saddam will attempt to make his fall as messy as possible. He will still fall.
Anti War Shows
Anti war demonstrations are made up of people who have taken counsel of their fears. Some fear that the US will win, and in this country there may be some who fear the US will lose. There are other fears--Iraq civilian casualties for example. Despots like Saddam play on such fears in an attempt to win without having to fight a battle.
Those in this country who fear that the US may lose, fear a repeat of the mistakes that turned Vietnam into a quagmire. While Saddam would like to create such a problem, it only happens when inadequate force is used, and the force that is used is prevented from taking effective action.
In Europe there is a phobic reaction to the use of force by the US in some quarters. Many of those who marched Saturday, probably marched against the installation of Pershing missles in Europe during the 80's. There is still a group of Europeans who think the wrong side won the cold war. With the exception of Germany none were on the other side of the iron curtain.
For those who fear high Iraqi casualties, it is unlikely that any such casualties will be inflicted by the US. With all the talk about urban warfare, people forget the effectiveness of US bombing in Kabul where al Queda houses were the only ones on the street that were hit. The highest probability of large casualties would come from Saddam's use of WPM in an urban setting where civilians would have no protection. While the US will try to prevent such attacts, those lives would be on his hands.
Those who take counsel of their fears are willing to see a despot stay in power, and continue to abuse and kill his people.
French Proposal Rejected
Saddam has rejected the French plan for beefed up inspections. The plan had already been rejected by the US and the UK. While getting rid of WMD is the focus of UN resolution 1441, there are other reasons for regime change in Iraq. The abuse of his people was mentioned above. However, Bush has made it clear on many occassions that he intends to stop Saddam Huesin from providing weapons to others who would use them to attack the US in such a way that his fingerprints were not on the attack. Unstated is a question tht is on the minds of many Americans. What if Saddam Huessin hired al Queda and other to attack the US on numerous occasions since he lost the Gulf War? The attacks in New York, Washington, Africa, Saudi Arabia as well as the atacks on the Cole may just be Saddams retaliation for the attacks he has been getting since 1991. One of the names bin Laden is called is "the Contractor." It is possible that he is a contract killer for Iraq. The US may find out when sifting through the ruins of Saddam's regime.
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