Posted on Jun 20, 2014
What is everyones opinion on the whole Iraq situation?
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I know the USA is the "Big Brother" of the world but do we let the Iraqi Army try take care of it or de we intervene?
Posted in these groups: 
Iraq
Iraq
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 9
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Like most issues, I think the answer to your question is neither concise nor simple but it may help to better answer your question by breaking it into strategic, operational, and tactical components:
- Strategic:
- GWOT/OCO has been less than successful due to lack of a comprehensive and enduring strategy on the parts of the Bush and Obama Administrations. GWOT/OCO is analogous to the Cold War in many ways (involves ideology, multi generational fight, requires DIME strategy to engage).
- What we see in Iraq today is the foreseeable consequence of prior strategic decisions (no SOFA, no enduring presence). Rand Corp did a study in 2003 on post conflict operations. Long story short, success requires manpower, time, and resources. Success stories: Germany, Japan. Failure stories: Haiti, Somalia.
- Capability and capacity. What is the US doing to build partners such as Iraq with capability and capacity to do for themselves rather than the US doing for them?
- Operational: By definition, the operational level ties the strategy to the tactics. As noted above, if the US does not have a strategy but we do have tactics then we do not have operational capability to tie the two together.
- Tactical:
- Why would not not target and kill Al Qaeda wherever and whenever they present themselves out in the open?
- What options are available to the US tactically? SF, UAV, Air, etc.
- Wars are won when a good strategy is tied to good tactics. Right now my assessment is that the US is overly focused on tactically discussions and not having the right strategic discussions or deliberations.
- Strategic:
- GWOT/OCO has been less than successful due to lack of a comprehensive and enduring strategy on the parts of the Bush and Obama Administrations. GWOT/OCO is analogous to the Cold War in many ways (involves ideology, multi generational fight, requires DIME strategy to engage).
- What we see in Iraq today is the foreseeable consequence of prior strategic decisions (no SOFA, no enduring presence). Rand Corp did a study in 2003 on post conflict operations. Long story short, success requires manpower, time, and resources. Success stories: Germany, Japan. Failure stories: Haiti, Somalia.
- Capability and capacity. What is the US doing to build partners such as Iraq with capability and capacity to do for themselves rather than the US doing for them?
- Operational: By definition, the operational level ties the strategy to the tactics. As noted above, if the US does not have a strategy but we do have tactics then we do not have operational capability to tie the two together.
- Tactical:
- Why would not not target and kill Al Qaeda wherever and whenever they present themselves out in the open?
- What options are available to the US tactically? SF, UAV, Air, etc.
- Wars are won when a good strategy is tied to good tactics. Right now my assessment is that the US is overly focused on tactically discussions and not having the right strategic discussions or deliberations.
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SSG Joe Jordan
Sir, I can't agree more that what you posted into three components. I know some of my Soldiers, that have ETS'd since returning would go back over. My BN kicked some butt over there but lost several outstanding Soldiers, NCOs and officers alike. Great response, ATW.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Sir, my assessment is that most peopl in the US (to include some powers that be) do not think in terms of "strategy." they think in terms of here and now, and not what are the 2nd and 3rd order affects of actions (or inactions).
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With Iraq now as one of our patners its is our responsibility to help with in their time of need just like any other allie. However I do not believe we should be sending large number of troops back to the country. I think the best call was made to send military advisors to assest with the Iraqi Army.
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CPT (Join to see)
Advisors are not going to cut it. It is "like throwing water on a grease fire"! We will not get anywhere unless we have boots on the ground. And maintain a tactical presents. If not this could snow ball on us even more. Then the war could show up at our front doors.
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SFC (Join to see)
I must disagree with you on boots on ground. We as a country need a break from war, allowing the Special Forces go in and advise and train is the best call. That is what they are trained for unconventional warfare. Not saying at all the conventional army count not handle it however this is best suited for them. If we are to put boots on ground it should be under the assets and command of NATO, not the United States taking the lead.
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