The General says we need more troops in Iraq.  What do we tell him?
830612
Experience is based on trial, failure and success. The invasion of Germany during the Second World War was an overwhelming success despite the losses on the allied forces. It was an invasion of purpose and it’s after effects changed the world for the better.\n\nThe invasion of Iraq on the other hand was ill timed, ill prepared, ill advised and mired in controversy from the onset. \n\nThis invasion unlike the first one did not involve the strategic neighbors from the beginning. \n\nThere was no focus on the invasion or planning for the aftermath as no suitable regime replacement that would be acceptable by the now divided populace was identified - There is a void that can not be filled.\n \nIraq will inevitably have to be split, in order to be governable. That is the only option to correct America's blunder- (Shite and Sunni Iraq).\n\nJust like what Vietnam did for the American leadership of the time, Iraq will be President Bush's dark legacy. Let us just hope Iraq will not be to America as Afghanistan was to the former USSR. (USSR end was accelerated by the Afghanistan invasion and defeat).
750019
it appears we have another Hanoi Jane on our hands.or another Tokyo rose,don't kid your selves the American troops are in Iraq and they are doing the job they are supposed to do, so don't try spreading this kind of junk around it won't work as any one who has been in the military will know different, maybe some of these Lilli livered civilians will believe it but not many of them Will, at least not the real men, and this wussies Capt should be relieved of command if she made such a statement, and will be. war is not for the wussies unless it comes home then even the wussies will learn to fight or die,and if we don't win in Iraq then they will be here for us to fight on our own soil, our people know this so make up your mind do you want to fight them there or here one thing is for sure we will fight them,they have already attacked America several times will your kids or parents wife , girl Friend or you  be killed in the next attack?keep listening to these shit heads and you will get the opportunity to fight here,\nso call your congress man and demand that we let our men fight these monsters there on their own ground and kill their own people not ours,and to the hell with P.C. lets kick some butt ,
725292
Send it through the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.  Merry Christmas to all in Iraq!
451996
Our troops need to come back state side and be with their families. The troops serve only the bank accounts of the wealthy oil companies. They are killed for no good reason. Bush needs to get his head out his daddy and his daddies friends arses. BRING OUR PEOPLE HOME! NOT IN BODY BAGS!
501170
... it's not time for a different strategy... it's time for A STRATEGY... I don't think Bush ever really had one for the rebuilding in the first place... \n\nDo you remember when all the generals were slamming Rummy... it was because they all said that we needed more troops to stabilize Iraq than we had in there, but Rummy said the number of troops were fine...\n\nSo now what do we have... the wild west... assassinations and car bombings every day with no security except in U.S. controlled zones... you can't build a country without any real security... \n\nNo one wants to help the U.S., because everyone that does ends up dead in a ditch in about a month...
1069791
He was right to say it.  The military cheered him and agreed with him.  Why?  Because when those little cowards come out from behind the skirts of women and children to fight, then we know who to fight.  The insurgents who hurt our troops are doing so from hiding, bring it on, means come out and fight.  The more they work, the more the opportunity to spot them and stop them.\n\nSomething else to note, check your news.  The "insurgents" are killing far more Iraqis than Americans.  It isn't just us they are fighting, it is their own people.  That is the really incredulous thing.
852511
Obviously you have valuable experience that would help in the current conflict.\n\nUS troops should be open to hearing other perspectives.\n\nHowever, the real problem is NOT with the troops, it's with the President who put them in Iraq in the first place, and who fails to give them the support to do their job right.\n\nIt's the President who really should have listened to the other countries in the UN years ago, who said give the weapons inspectors time to do their job. But no, he had to invade, and there were no wmds.\n\nPlease don't blame the US troops - they are doing the best they can under the circumstances. Blame the Americans for electing Bush again, and blame bush for not listening to the experience of other countries.\n\nNow that we have voted in a Democratic congress and senate, things will change rapidly.
583693
The MEU is up and running strong.  They are continually training.  They make trips over to Iraq and Afghanastan right now.  But they are kind of a quick reaction force.  Since they are pretty much geared up to go at any time, they can be dispatched to a problem area more quickly than other units.  For actual invasions, I would have to beleive that more troops would be needed.
110037
There are about 130,000 troops in Iraq right now. It is impossible to pin an exact number down because FMGs arrive in country every day, and "old timers" are leaving for home every day.
364656
Oh, I hope not.  We created a hell hole in Iraq already and have yet to clean up after ourselves.  We are weak in military power and can not stretch any more.  I do not believe we could pull off two military campaigns.
887908
IMO the only real solutions are either:\n\na) get out now because we don't seem to be accomplishing anything\n\nb) bite the bullet and increase troop levels dramatically (3-4X the current amount)\n\n\nand the term "cut and run" is idiotic, the only purpose it serves is limiting the options for people to contemplate\n\n\n\nfor those of you that say "cut and run" would be disasterous, what's the point? Iraq is already a disaster, you are going to have to either fix the problem by sending in a much larger number of troops or get out, keeping things as they are is ALREADY disasterous
763511
good question. as it depends upon what part of the liberal front they are addressing. or at any given moment.  to one group they say pull out, to another they say add more troops, and yet to another they say a gradual exit.. which one do you think they really mean?  hard to say guess it depends on what day it is..
955566
Yes, and I think we need more help from other countries too.  I think that if we put a huge mass of boots on the ground and overwhelm the terrorists, that would be the way to go.  I think that we should systematically start from the top of Iraq and fight our way down and wipe out the terrorists.
471490
'Good morning, Good morning !' the General said\nWhen we met him last week on our way to the line.\nNow the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead,\nAnd we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine.\n'He's a cherry old card', grunted Harry to Jack\nAs they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.\n\nBut he did for them both with his plan of attack.
97970
More US troops will die....
934649
Thats quite an interesting article, thank you for putting it up, and i agree with ecerything the generals say, but do you not think there is larger issues here? The ineffectiveness of the iraqi govt, caused by the clash of ethnic groups but also by the duality of relying on US troops while also trying to distance themselves from US policies, and other issues like this? I respect what the generals say but are they not purely looking at this from a military and practical perspective? Killing every terrorist and insurgent will not finish this war, because its impossible...hmm i cant see an alternative way of getting out of this situation but i also refuse to believe that its as simple a solution as issuing killing orders...tho that would be a step forward i admit
1015674
I feel our president is on track with Iraq.  It's a touch and go situation right now but from what I have seen and read I feel we are on track.  If it were possible I would like to see Iraqi troops and police taking over more responsibility of there country and maybe help them more than we have to accomplish this goal.  We know they want there freedom, are willing to die for it and hope we can help them achieve there goals.  So other than that there is not much I would or would try to change.  I have faith in our military and our president's actions.\n\nGood question.