The reality is that if the Shi'ites and Kurds can be inclusive and if they can reach a settlement with most of the Iraqi Sunnis, then the efforts of U.S. and coalition forces and the growing Iraqi forces are almost certain to be successful, |
The Yemeni central government has done what it can, but it is very weak. It is not a matter of the government not trying. But there are limits to it can do. |
There is no clear or meaningful difference between insurgency and civil war, or between national terrorism and civil war for that matter. |
There's so much spin in these numbers. A lot of facts get disguised. . . . Total manpower is meaningless. The army is the key force in direct combat. |
These are scarcely people you want to integrate into a national force. This would simply create sectarian or ethnic forces or divisions within the forces that already exist. |
They have begun to realize that when you focus only on the U.S. it gives the impression that the U.S. doesn't care about Iraqis. |
Think long and hard first. |
This is the first step to allow Iraq to have a unity government, but it's only a first step. The question is, will the new prime minister be capable of leading the country? |
This was a largely punitive operation. It did not cripple any of Saddam's capabilities. |
Ulster (Northern Ireland) and the Balkans have already shown how difficult it is to split cities, and with Iraq's centralized and failing infrastructure, and impoverished economy, violence and economics cannot be separated. |
Usually they'll place an array of explosives locked to a single infrared sensor, ... What you get is an array of shaped charges, so you're not going to get hit with just one. |
We did not plan three years ago to create more than token Iraqi forces. Now we're at 230,000 roughly and counting. Our whole strategy is dependent on the success of the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police. |
We don't know how many leaders there are, how many experienced cadres there are, how many replacements there are. |
We essentially used a bull to liberate a china shop. |
We need to understand that this is a warning, ... Over the next few months we're going to see a referendum on a constitution that's going to trigger more debates on Shiite identity ... The idea that the constitution or referendum is going to clear this up is unrealistic. |