2 questions about iraq

[lostsoul]

I read a while back that the war would start mid-march. And it did, no matter what was going on in the world to stop it. Does anyone know if there is anything "special" about this timing of war? i mean America could have waited longer, but it tried to do it as quickly as possible.


My second question, I was discussing with some friends about if Gurillia warfare would work in Iraq, I was wondering what are your thoughts on it? Something simlair to Chairman Mao's type style, let the enemy take the terrority, then you slowly take it back.

[Monks Aflame]

1) well, a question arises about why Saddam was not taken out in the first gulf war. "We shoulda taken him out a decade ago, now we're finishing up the job!" the average rightist will proclaim. Some, including myself, believe he was the trump card, the backup plan. After 9-11 and a failed "war on terror" (what does "bin laden" mean to you?), Bush needed something to boost his popularity, or so I theorize. Also, elections next year and his popularity isn't the highest. And as time passes, more people are more zealous against him and his war, seeing how much they've delayed it already.

2) I'm far far far from a military strategist, but they are fighting in blazing sun, sand storms, and the DESERT. if you've ever see the "Between Iraq and a Hard Place" videos, they mention this in quite a humorous way.

[hawarameen]

cant really answer the first question but maybe it has something to do with the wheather, spring has just started, its not too hot any longer and they would have been getting close to summer which would have been unbelievably hot

also guerilla warfare i thik is possible in some areas of iraq, for example in the north there are many mountains which the kurdish army has been using guerilla warfare for many years so it is possible but it could not be applied to the whole of iraq

[canikickit]

I'm pretty sure that the weather was the deciding factor. At least that is how I saw the timeframe always being discussed.

With regards to landscape, I don't really see any reason why guerrilla warfare wouldn't be possible. I strongly doubt that a socialist revolution could take place. I think only a religious overthrow would be likely - the ones with power seem to be religious types for the most part.

Although in the areas where the Kurds are I suspct it would be more likely. Hawar could tell me if that was accurate, I supposed. He'd sure know better than me, right? :biggrin:

[hawarameen]

right :biggrin:

actually iraq is quite secular, especially in kurdistan although they are religious, it is moderate, alcohol is available in areas, women have the same rights as men, men do not have more than one wife and very few actually pray.

IMO the kurds at least show very good socialist traits. at this moment while many shops are closed in kurdish cities, bakeries have opened. supplies are low so people bring in flour which is then made into bread. if someone brings in 1 kilo of flour which makes 30 nan breads then they get say 20 breads back, the other 10 taken as the cost of making etc. this way bread can be made even though supplies are low and the poor can still get basic food.

its just a small thing but it made me very proud (silly huh!)

i also dont think a socialist revolution would take place, socialists in kurdistan are very few

[lostsoul]

Quote: from hawarameen on 12:34 am on Mar. 24, 2003
right :biggrin:

actually iraq is quite secular, especially in kurdistan although they are religious, it is moderate, alcohol is available in areas, women have the same rights as men, men do not have more than one wife and very few actually pray.

IMO the kurds at least show very good socialist traits. at this moment while many shops are closed in kurdish cities, bakeries have opened. supplies are low so people bring in flour which is then made into bread. if someone brings in 1 kilo of flour which makes 30 nan breads then they get say 20 breads back, the other 10 taken as the cost of making etc. this way bread can be made even though supplies are low and the poor can still get basic food.

its just a small thing but it made me very proud (silly huh!)

i also dont think a socialist revolution would take place, socialists in kurdistan are very few

I glad to hear the kurds are handling it well right now, their country is in chaos, and i'm just happy to see their area is not in the same chaos right now.

Can you please tell me what your opinion is on kurds fate if america wins this war?

[suffianr]

Question #2:

For a not-so-recent example of guerrilla warfare in desert conditions, look up stuff on a chap called Omar Mokhtar, who led the Libyan resistance against the Italian fascists in the early 1920's, and whose aggressive hit-and-run tactics earned him the moniker "Lion of the Desert".

Also, read about the Boer war and Kitchener's campaigns in the Sudan if you're still not convinced that guerrilla warfare is possible in the desert. :)

[hawarameen]

i think if the kurdish peshmerga (army) is allowed to see some action and take cities such as Kirkuk and Mosul then we will have a considerable say in the future of iraq.

i personally think that the peshmerga are being underused a great deal. i believe in those conditions, the us army is not suited and has little experience, this is why they are experiencing difficulties.

the peshmerga have had a lot of experience in urban warfare and are natural born fighters with the guts and determination of several us soldiers