Monday, September 03, 2007
RE: "The Former-Insurgent Counterinsurrency." [Victor Davis Hanson]
I read and reviewed the Gordon co-authored Cobra II, and thought as a piece of historical analysis it was too one-sided in its devastating criticisms; but like most on either side of the Iraq issue, I have always had a great deal of respect for the in-depth reporting of both Michael Gordon and John Burns; their objectivity and criticism are empirically-based and circumspect, and they show great courage in writing about troops in combat. The latest essay is detailed, excellent, disturbing, encouraging and leaves a half-full, half-empty feeling about the new alliances forming in parts of Iraq against al Qaeda.
I don't think in American military history there have been too many occasions when so much has rested on the shoulders of just one commander, quite unfairly to be sure. But like it or not, in the political sense of maintaining the war, we are in a Sherman-like make or break decision at Atlanta (taken 143 years ago today), or a Ridgeway moment in Korea, where only a gifted commander like Petraeus can instill the leadership necessary to restore support at home through his success abroad.
In a strange sense, more than ever the ante has been raised, and there is the eerie feeling far more than just Iraq is at stake right now in the next few weeks, but rather the nature of the entire Middle East and the American global role even beyond the region.
So I think it is finally time to give us a pass on the Aruba and Paris Hilton news alerts. We owe that much to the troops in harm's way.
09/03 08:26 AM
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