The Hidden Hand of ISIS: An American Fuck-Up

[AiA in Atlanta]

The top brass in Hussein's military sent word to the Pentagon that they would not resist an invasion if their military were allowed to remain intact, pensions and benefits continuing. But Rumsfeld, Cheney et al preferred "Shock and Awe" and dismissed the standing army of some 400,000, banning them from government jobs, no pensions, no benefits. Smart? Not


FROM THE ESSAY: “The people in charge of military operations in the Islamic State were the best officers in the former Iraqi army, and that is why the Islamic State beats us in intelligence and on the battlefield.”



http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mid ... nes&wpmm=1

[mantra]

The invasion of Iraq by the Coalition of the Willing has been a stuff up from the very beginning. Half the population knew it was based on a false premise and our leaders were lying to us. Millions of lives lost or damaged because the yanks wanted their pipeline protected. This war, which appears to be permanent was only ever about protecting the interests of the big boys. To add to this, many of the troops are coming back physically and emotionally damaged - and the financial cost is obscene.

Abbott, like Howard, uses this deadly farce to score points.

Of course Rumsfeld played a huge part in this. We don't trust the leaders in the ME, but they have more reason not to trust us.

Rumsfeld's famous last words.

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that.

[freediver]

What would be the point of invading if you left Saddam's regime in control?

[Rorschach]

The invasion of Iraq by the Coalition of the Willing has been a stuff up from the very beginning. Half the population knew it was based on a false premise and our leaders were lying to us. Millions of lives lost or damaged because the yanks wanted their pipeline protected. This war, which appears to be permanent was only ever about protecting the interests of the big boys. To add to this, many of the troops are coming back physically and emotionally damaged - and the financial cost is obscene.

Abbott, like Howard, uses this deadly farce to score points.

Of course Rumsfeld played a huge part in this. We don't trust the leaders in the ME, but they have more reason not to trust us.

Rumsfeld's famous last words.

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that.

Well another load of bullshit from the Howard hater.
Another Conspiranut rant.
Bad intelligence is just that.
Sure I knew (well was pretty sure) they had no WMD's and that Hussein was bluffing etc... but... he was actively working on becoming a Nuclear power and leader of the Arab world.
We also know that he hid or removed what they did have and some found its way into Syria.
Say what you will, he and his family, had to be removed.

[boxy]

LOL, you knew there was no WMDs... but it was all down to bad intelligence that our leaders were fooled? Good one

[Rorschach]

LOL, you knew there was no WMDs... but it was all down to bad intelligence that our leaders were fooled? Good one

You gonna misquote me TROLL...
People can actually read FOOL.

BTW if you had no idea or opinion then that just shows how out of touch with the real world and global politics YOU are.
Back to your cave and keyboard.

[IQS.RLOW]

Speaking of fuckups...

Count the mistakes: Helping overthrow Muammar Qaddafi in Libya, leading to anarchy and civil war. Pressuring Husni Mubarak of Egypt to resign, then backing the Muslim Brotherhood, leading now-president Sisi to turn toward Moscow. Alienating Washington’s most stalwart ally in the region, the Government of Israel. Dismissing ISIS as “junior varsity” just before it seized major cities. Hailing Yemen as a counterterrorism success just before its government was overthrown. Alarming the Saudi authorities to the point that they put together a military alliance against Iran. Coddling Recep Tayyip Erdo?an of Turkey, encouraging his dictatorial tendencies. Leaving Iraq and Afghanistan prematurely, dooming the vast American investment in those two countries.

And, most of all: Making dangerously flawed deals with the nuclear-ambitious mullahs of Iran…
Is this a random series of errors by an incompetent leadership or does some grand, if misconceived, idea stand behind the pattern?

Thanks Obummer

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2 ... nother.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mantra]

And, most of all: Making dangerously flawed deals with the nuclear-ambitious mullahs of Iran…

There is potential in this deal. Sanctions are bringing Iran down. Hassan Rouhani is more moderate than previous presidents and if there's a chance of a compromise and Iran being brought to the global table with other leaders - then Obama should be supported by the Republicans. Although there is little hope they will give in - the share prices for their arms industries might go down.

[Outlaw Yogi]

What would be the point of invading if you left Saddam's regime in control?

To bring an end to Saddam selling oil for Euros instead of US dollars.

[Outlaw Yogi]

I knew and publicly stated so in letters to editors that "Saddam's Weapons of Mass Destruction" did not exist prior to the 2003 invasion.

I had read excerts from CIA reports stating that Iraq's German supplied reator had been destroyed by Israel and that Iraq's Donald Rumsfeld brokered chemical and biological weapons had been destroyed by USAF in Desert Fox (1998).

I participated in a (Greens organised) public protest rally through Bundaberg in which 200 people attended (not bad for a pissant town like Bundy) and all the TV media was invited to report on.
Nine,Ten and ABC covered it, but Seven didn't bother, and later felt incompetent for missing it. The Bundaberg (Hinkler-Burnett) Greens branch secretary contacted me regarding Seven now wanting footage on the following Monday. She sold them her footage for $100 and despite my not yet being a Greens member was asked to act as spokesman regarding the protest, as the branch felt they didn't have a good enough public speaker.

Seven's report showed me stating "George Bush and John Howard claim Iraq is an imminent threat to world security. We disagree".
John Howard must have seen that report. In following days he said "Some people may disagree, but ..."

Anyway the real reason Bush and Co wanted to take out Saddam was because the US had got OPEC to sell oil for US dollars only, thus artificially inflating the value of $US, as other countries had to sell their products to the US for less than real value to obtain $US to buy oil.
Saddam started selling oil for Euros, the Russians immediately sold off 1/3rd of their $US reserves and the $US took an instant dive. The yanks were worried Saddam would trash their artificially inflated economy so got rid of him. It's that simple.

EDIT ADDITION - As for Islamic State per se, I have always considered and refered to them as "Saddam's revenge"