Armitage on value of troops

Inside the Ring:

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Asked what was most surprising about the Iraq war, Mr. Armitage stated: "The most surprising thing is that we failed yet again to realize a basic historical lesson: Only a soldier with a bayonet can take and hold ground. Only a soldier with a bayonet can bend an enemy to our will."
The failure to understand that was the United States' "biggest mistake," and the biggest lesson to be learned, he said.
"Clearly we had enough troops to win a great victory, a speedy victory and a very humane victory," Mr. Armitage said. "We didn't have enough troops to secure the peace. That is self-evident."

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One of the mysteries of this debate is why Gen. John Abizaid has not stepped up to the plate on this question and defended his decision on using a small foot print in Iraq.

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