Operation Overblown: “Operation Swarmer” is really a media show"

[kpete]

Operation Overblown
BAGHDAD — Operation Swarmer is turning out to be much less than meets the eye, or the television camera, for that matter.


“Operation Swarmer” is really a media show. It was designed to show off the new Iraqi Army — although there was no enemy for them to fight. Every American official I’ve heard has emphasized the role of the Iraqi forces just days before the third anniversary of the start of the war. That said, one Iraqi role the military will start highlighting in the next few days, I imagine, is that of Iraqi intelligence. It was intel from the Iraqi military intelligence and interior ministry that the U.S. says prompted this Potemkin operation. And it will be the Iraqi intel that provides the cover for American military commanders to throw up their hands and say, “well, we thought bad guys were there.”

It’s hard to blame the military, however. Stations like Fox and CNN have really taken this and ran with it, with fancy graphics and theme music. The generals here also are under tremendous pressure to show off some functioning Iraqi troops before the third anniversary, and I won’t fault them for going into a region loaded for bear. After all, the Iraqi intelligence might have been right!

But Operation Overblown should raise serious questions about how good Iraqi intelligence is. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told by earnest lieutenants that the Iraqis are valiant and necessary partners, “because they know the area, the people and the customs.” But when I spoke to grunts and NCOs, however, they usually gave me blunter — and more colorful — reasons why the Iraqi intelligence was often, shall we say, useless. Tribal rivalries and personal feuds are still a major why Iraqis drop a dime on their neighbors.

So I guess it’s fitting that on the eve of the third anniversary of a war launched on — oh, let’s be generous — “faulty” intelligence, a major operation is hyped and then turns out to be less than what it appeared because of … faulty intelligence.

http://www.back-to-iraq.com/archives/2006/03/operation_overblown.php

[Redstone]

1. Another Mission Accomplished!

Redstone

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Operation Sagging Poll Numbers is more like it.

What a thinly-veiled farce.

[Warpy]

3. I'm curiously grateful to find out this was a dog and pony show

instead of more air powered butchery in my name.

[leftchick]

4. wow we have been propagandized!

rummy said he was going to keep doing it!

[sasha031]

7. I'm relieved they aren't bombing

so it's the good news campaign once again, ridiculous..

[NVMojo]

5. my question is ...what are they trying to distract Americans from??

[MADem]

9. CENNNNNNNNNSUUUUUUUUUUUUURE! n/t

[Rex]

6. They did this in Korea and Vietnam

put together a flock of natives and teach them Army tactics. Air assault!!!! Now let's see them slide down the rope in a hot-zone. I hate to say it, but we are propping these guys up to be Iraqi elite. Probably new Red guards for our next choice of Iraqi leader.

[n2doc]

10. Yeah, but it sure worked well in Vietnam, didn't it?

They will run away as fast as they can once we leave the region and let those who really want to control things fight it out.

[TomInTib]

11. Tigers. Worked with us during the day and tried to kill us at night.

You shoulda seen 'em.

We would outfit them in these ridiculous tiger-striped uniforms and they would strut around like peacocks.

But when the stuff hit the fan they would act like they had never learned a thing.

That crap has never worked and to think that it will now is insane.

[MADem]

8. I'm still wondering what the hell it stands for!!!

All it calls to mind is that old Apefingers is a-tryin' but he's not gittin any warmer???

SWARMER:

Stupid Wanker Asks Reporters to Mention Everything but RETREAT??

See, W's Allies Really Make Everything Rosy???

So Which Asshole Realized Monkey's Entirely Ridiculous?

Stop Whinin' About Rove's "Mission accomplished" Error, Really!!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. !

:thumbsup: