About That Drawdown...
Rod Dreher:
A year ago, as the surge was ramping up, I wrote:
That's what happened to that.
Now I'm not referring specifically to Rod here, as I don't know where he stood on the surge, and the "forced drawdown" meme was widely accepted wisdom last year. But it amazes me how some continue to believe that the "old" rules, those based on feasibility and rationality, still apply these days to things like economic policy and military logistics. They don't.
Gen. Petraeus tells the Decider that we're going to have to keep troop levels in Iraq just about as high as they've ever been. |
A year ago, as the surge was ramping up, I wrote:
We know that victory, as the White House defines it, is that magical day when Iraqis forget centuries of ethnic and religious differences and decide to turn in their weapons and live peacefully. If that doesn't happen and the violence continues, we stay. And if it does somehow happen this year or five years from now, "maintaining the peace" will then be the justification for our continued presence. |
That's what happened to that.
Now I'm not referring specifically to Rod here, as I don't know where he stood on the surge, and the "forced drawdown" meme was widely accepted wisdom last year. But it amazes me how some continue to believe that the "old" rules, those based on feasibility and rationality, still apply these days to things like economic policy and military logistics. They don't.
posted by The Cunning Realist at Wednesday, March 26, 2008
7 Comments:
"But it amazes me how some continue to believe that the "old" rules, those based on feasibility and rationality, still apply these days to things like economic policy and military logistics. They don't."
Ok, I get that. But we have been hearing for years that the Army is almost "broken"; that these troop levels are unsustainable. It seems that things that cannot go on forever, don't. So I share a bit of confusion.
I guess we are just pushing the soldiers that much harder; reducing downtime and leave time, etc. But it seems we will come up against a physical limit at some point. Maybe then we just hire more mercenaries.
kilfarsnar - that is exactly what is happening now.
Any real reporting on this war and our capacity should be viewed outside of U.S. 4th estate.
Unless you really like living in a fantasy world.
All GW has cared about since the start of the "surge" has been running out the clock until he leaves office. He can then leave the next Prez with the aftermath of his failed policies. In his little pea-sized brain, he'll convince himself that the outcome wasn't his fault. And he'll really believe it.
At least he'll leave the next Prez a battered military in desperate need of relief and huge amounts of equipment replacement. Gee, George, how come THOSE billions were left out of your budgets? Oh, that's right. Pass the bill for your failed policies onto the next person ... and the taxpayers.
Every time Bush has a role of any significance (i.e. not the Texas Rangers), he's left behind a mess. Spectrum 7. Harken Energy. He left TX with a $1 billion deficit while the economy was exploding. And now he's left an enormous string of messes for America.
The man has the inverse Midas touch ... everything he touches turns to s**t.
OMG! Just when you thought the Bush Administration couldn't be any more incompetent, they do you one better! They gave $300 million in arms contracts for Afghanistan and Iraq to a 22-year old who didn't have a real business or experience! Read this post for details of Bush's idea of a legitimate arms dealer.
Good thing we outsource this kind of stuff to save money, eh?
It cannot succeed as a matter of fact, that's what I suppose.
This cannot work in fact, that is what I consider.
Quite worthwhile information, thank you for the article.
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