(via Instapundit) Some good analysis from Austin Bay blog on Sadr’s recent defeat. I’m slowly moving more and more into an optimistic hindsight mindset regarding the Basra conflict.
At this point in Iraq’s development the political context is the dominant context. Sadr needed Iran to help negotiate a ceasefire? What does that demonstrate to everyone in Iraq about Sadr? The Iarqi Army had to test itself against the Shia gangs. No, it wasn’t perfect. War is not the realm of perfect. War is the realm of “friction,” as Clausewitz wrote, “the suck” in current lingo. When howitzers drop a salvo I guarantee you the situation is drastically imperfect.
But but but…as time marches it is increasingly clear the Iraqi Army did a far better job than the Shia gangsters.
Go read the rest. It’s good stuff.
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