British "Jail Break" in Basra

[RACooper]

For those who don't know the Brits used some tanks/AFVs to smash through wall of a prison today in Iraq - to liberate two undercover commandos held by Iraqi security forces... this of course sparked some protests from the populace:



Interesting challenge to the "sovereignty" of Iraqi security forces - and pretty freak'in incredible photos..

Link to BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/4262336.stm

[DeltAlum]

Good for the decisive action of the Brits. It sends a strong message to both sides.

However, it's tough to fight a group that is willing to attack tanks with sticks and stones and bottles of gasoline.

It's hard for me to see much progress in "winning" this war.

We can fight and win the setpiece battles, but to change a way of life is much more difficult -- particularly when it is a religious way of life.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Good for the decisive action of the Brits. It sends a strong message to both sides.

However, it's tough to fight a group that is willing to attack tanks with sticks and stones and bottles of gasoline.

It's hard for me to see much progress in "winning" this war.

We can fight and win the setpiece battles, but to change a way of life is much more difficult -- particularly when it is a religious way of life.

Well the Brits have stated that they are in it for the long haul now - and will commit more troops if needed by the situation on the ground.

The military thinking is that while it's been a disaster from the word go.... it'd be an even bigger tactical and strategic disaster to pull out any time soon (never mind the geopolitical mess it'd create).

Hopefully the second time is the charm and Iraq will be a success - and hopefully the troops won't be in Iraq for 50 years like the last time... (and of course here's hoping that chemical warfare won't be used against the insurgents this time either).

[Rudey]

They arrested the British, didn't inform their commanders and then turned them over to other men who hid them?

Bleed the local population.

-Rudey

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rudey
They arrested the British, didn't inform their commanders and then turned them over to other men who hid them?

Bleed the local population.

-Rudey

"Bleed the local population"?

Why that's brilliant! It'll crush the resistance and bring about an immediate return to the soldiers being kissed and getting flowers

Okay ignoring how moral, ethical, and strategically flawed this statement is what makes you think it'll work? Afterall that tactic didn't work in Vietnam, occupied France, the Eastern Front in WWII, Revolutionary America, or heck even Iraq during the UK's 50 year occupation ealier last century.

Perhaps you should stick to economics and not military strategy...

[Rudey]

Originally posted by RACooper
"Bleed the local population"?

Why that's brilliant! It'll crush the resistance and bring about an immediate return to the soldiers being kissed and getting flowers

Okay ignoring how moral, ethical, and strategically flawed this statement is what makes you think it'll work? Afterall that tactic didn't work in Vietnam, occupied France, the Eastern Front in WWII, Revolutionary America, or heck even Iraq during the UK's 50 year occupation ealier last century.

Perhaps you should stick to economics and not military strategy...

In those areas there wasn't enough blood lost.

Perhaps you need to recognize you are not an expert in anything and have lost credibility?

-Rudey