"A Fool's Errand"
The number of insurgent attacks on our troops keeps rising as chaos grow across Iraq. Bush is considering an increase of 20,000 to 30,000 troops in Baghdad. This plan appears to be at odds with military leaders.
Last month, General John Abizaid the top commander for Iraq dismissed the idea that sectarian violence can be stopped by increasing American troop level. Furthermore, Abizaid testified that he had spoken with every division commander in Iraq and they all agreed with him. Retired Gen. Barry McCaffery said that putting another 20,000 or 30,000 troops, particularly into urban combat in a city of seven million Arabs such as Baghdad, is a “fool’s errand.”
This summer, when the Bush ordered more soldiers into Baghdad, the Army was strained even further, and the sectarian violence increased. Most military experts say the focus right now should be on beefing up Iraqi security forces, not on letting them off the hook with another increase in American troops.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says that the U.S. Army is “about broken.” Presently, combat logistics missions in Iraq are being carried out with help by U.S. airmen and Navy sailors. In other words, the Air Force and Navy are being “cannibalized” in some cases to help sustain the war effort.
Military’s equipment is breaking down in Iraq, because it was not designed for desert warfare. Equipment originally designed to be used for a whole year is being overuse in a week.
On top of all of this, a lot of equipment is being destroyed, by increasing hostile attacks. A Pentagon report found there are now more attacks on our military than at any time since the war began. Attacks average, 93 per day, which is more than double a year ago.
The report found that Iraqi police have been complicit in the sectarian killings, allowing Shiite death squads to roam freely and warning them of our military missions in the area.
Last month, General John Abizaid the top commander for Iraq dismissed the idea that sectarian violence can be stopped by increasing American troop level. Furthermore, Abizaid testified that he had spoken with every division commander in Iraq and they all agreed with him. Retired Gen. Barry McCaffery said that putting another 20,000 or 30,000 troops, particularly into urban combat in a city of seven million Arabs such as Baghdad, is a “fool’s errand.”
This summer, when the Bush ordered more soldiers into Baghdad, the Army was strained even further, and the sectarian violence increased. Most military experts say the focus right now should be on beefing up Iraqi security forces, not on letting them off the hook with another increase in American troops.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says that the U.S. Army is “about broken.” Presently, combat logistics missions in Iraq are being carried out with help by U.S. airmen and Navy sailors. In other words, the Air Force and Navy are being “cannibalized” in some cases to help sustain the war effort.
Military’s equipment is breaking down in Iraq, because it was not designed for desert warfare. Equipment originally designed to be used for a whole year is being overuse in a week.
On top of all of this, a lot of equipment is being destroyed, by increasing hostile attacks. A Pentagon report found there are now more attacks on our military than at any time since the war began. Attacks average, 93 per day, which is more than double a year ago.
The report found that Iraqi police have been complicit in the sectarian killings, allowing Shiite death squads to roam freely and warning them of our military missions in the area.
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