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December 23, 2006

U.S. Commanders In Iraq Set for 'Surge' In Forces?

Topics: Iraq

Dan Riehl posts that US commanders on the ground in Iraq, including General Casey, are apparently prepared to go with a "surg"e in forces as part of any new strategy. The article Dan links to points out that some members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff remain skeptical of a surge, and are unconvinced that it will yield more positive results than other recent military operations to secure Baghdad or Iraq.

So, more troops and "surge" on, or not?

We've never had enough troops in Iraq and we've never seriously engaged the enemy - the real enemy - Iran, Syria, and Muqtada al-Sadr. However, sending more troops now without changing the rules of engagement is a complete exercise in futility. What would that entail? Victor Davis Hanson offered some suggestions the other day at PJM:

Putting Iran and Syria on notice that we will bomb terrorists flocking across their borders (edit: And their military as well if they don't stop the terrorists themselves).

Give an ultimatum to militia heads, especially Moqtadar Sadr, to disband or face annihilation from the United States.

Expand the rules of engagement in all matters dealing with IEDs, with a shoot on sight rule concerning anyone found implanting or aiding such efforts.

Enlarge the planned Iraqi security forces to near 400,000, and embed far more Americans in those units.

Recalibrate the ratio of support to combat troops, so that we don't simply create bigger compounds to facilitate larger troop levels to end up with more stationary and more numerous targets--and ever more enclaves of Americans behind thousands of acres of bermed reserves.

So spell out the mission, the new rules of engagement, and then, and only then, surge--if need be-- more troops.

Send more troops? It depends on just what the hell we're going to do when they get there!

Posted by Richard at December 23, 2006 10:08 AM

Articles Related to Iraq:

• Costs Of Illegal Aliens Approaching Cost Of War In Iraq - Apr 22, 2008
• Iraq Today: By The Numbers - Apr 08, 2008
• WSJ: 'The Petraeus Effect' - Apr 08, 2008
• Report: 'Saddam Transferred WMDs To Syria' - Apr 07, 2008
• Iraqi Christians: Exodus, Ethnic Cleansing and Identity Annihilation - Apr 07, 2008
• Defeatacrats And Surrender-Media Screwed Again - This Time By Sadr Surrender - Apr 07, 2008
• Al-Qaeda Terrorist Leader Arrested SW of Mosul By Iraqi Police; Name Witheld - Mar 29, 2008
• More WaPo Shameful Shrills For The Enemy - Mar 29, 2008
• Michael Yon On Iraq - Mar 28, 2008
• Obama Wrong On Al-Qaeda In Iraq And Iran Connection - Mar 19, 2008