CB
^^^^^^
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> From Stan Goff, retired professional soldier
If anyone would like a nice flow chart of the "progress" of the war, go to www.bringthemhomenow.org where we have archived five stories a day for months related directly to the war, including an excellent collection of photographs (published under "Fair Use" of course). Just click on the daily news roundup. From there, just hit the "previous" button to scroll back into July 20, when we started the site. It's quite a slide show, and it fast forwards you through the daily minutiae to see the real trajectory of this war - which is an unmitigated disaster for US power. The retention and recruitment crisis is no longer latent. Only the "Stop Loss" program is stemming a "manpower" hemorrhage. The next anticipated rotation in Jan-Mar will increase Reserve components to 40% of the force, dramatically reducing combat proficiency in theater even as it dramatically increases the political liability at home. This outflow is exacerbated by a steady stream of casualties, and now possibly 1,700 desertions by troops on leave. Over 2,000 have been treated for mental illness. Morale is reportedly in the shitter. The guerrillas have effectively truncated any effort to employ international support for the occupation. Russia appears to be forming a condominium with Europe and possibly China. A European trade war is on the horizon. The Japanese leadership has had its arm twisted to send troops in the face of overwhelming domestic opposition. The Iraqi resistance is growing in strength, sophistication and popular support as the occupation force intensifies tactics that serve to recruit more into the resistance. The Israelization of the occupation has only thrown gasoline on the fires of Arab humiliation and rage. A draft is not feasible before the 2004 election. Afghanistan is a fragmented heroin-zone. People are fighting for reconstruction contracts that none of them is likely to carry out as long as Iraqi fighters decide they won't allow it. And one third of the "new" Iraqi army just deserted after training. Probably left a thank-you note on the table for the new weapons, equipment and knowledge of US doctrine as they went to join their comrades.
As they say in chess, "Check."
Stan Goff http://home.igc.org/~sherrynstan/ "Praying for peace is like praying for a weedless garden." Bring 'em home! End the occupations! Impeach!