For those of the DKos community interested in trying to understand what's going on in Iraq these days, I'd like to highlight a source that I've found useful. The U.S. Army War College publishes a quarterly journal "Parameters" on line at
http://www.carlisle.army.mil/.... Those unfamiliar with the War College can take comfort in the institution's straightforward name. Things only began to spiral into Orwellian confusion in our military when the War Department became the "Department of Defense." The writers are military men who are also historians and interested more in discerning the lessons of history than supporting whatever Pentagon propaganda is current. Most are motivated by the idea that they can save lives (and win victories) by applying the lessons of history. In Spring 2004, the interests of most contributers turned to the "insurgency" in Iraq before many in the administration were fessing up. More mules below...
In Spring 2004 (two darn years ago) , Robert Tomes submitted "Relearning Counterinsurgency Warfare," a review of three important books on how to fight a counterinsurgency--lessons learned from history. He notes:
Counterinsurgents need success as early as possible to demonstrate the will, the means, and the ability to defeat the insurgency. Counterinsurgents, moreover, need to avoid negotiations until they are in a position of strength. Potential supporters will flock to the insurgent's side out of fear of retaliation if the movement considers them disloyal. A negotiated solution to the conflict before the new government possesses a preponderance of power will lead to the undermining of the settlement and the negation of gains.
In Summer 2004, Robert Cassiday submitted "Back to the Street without Joy: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Vietnam and Other Small Wars."
"The "war of the flea" is harder than fighting against enemies who opt, imprudently, to fight the US military according to the conventional paradigm it has historically preferred and in which it is unequaled. Our current and future adversaries in the protracted war on terror are fighting--and will continue to fight--the "war of the flea." Employing hit-and-run ambushes, they strive to turn Coalition lines of communication and friendly regime key roads into "streets without joy." However, the lessons from previous US military successes in fighting the elusive guerrilla show that with the right mindset and with some knowledge of the aforementioned methods, the war of the flea is in fact winnable.
In Winter 2004, Franklin E. Wester's "Preemption and Just War" takes the Bush administration to task for assuming they can send troops where and when they want to send them. Some of his observations are of the omen-like character. Later issues have featured more insurgent comments.
Ya know, just because it's military history doesn't make it wrong. There are folks out there in uniform striving for truth. Maybe they'll get it this war ...