Anthony Cordesman
Anthony Cordesman
Anthony H. Cordesmanholds the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studiesand is a national security analyst on a number of global conflicts...
easier far force iraq might military opponent serious strengths
Iraq might be a far easier opponent than its force strengths indicate. But it also is potentially a very serious military opponent indeed,
cripple largely
This was a largely punitive operation. It did not cripple any of Saddam's capabilities.
army create dependent iraqi plan roughly strategy success three
We did not plan three years ago to create more than token Iraqi forces. Now we're at 230,000 roughly and counting. Our whole strategy is dependent on the success of the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police.
deal specific
Everything I know about counterterrorism is, you deal with specific cells.
acceptance additional best clearly constitution months outcome prelude start vote wins
Even if the constitution clearly wins acceptance by most Shiites and Kurds and some Sunnis, this is only the start of a process, not the end. Even the best outcome of the vote is the prelude to months and years of additional effort.
call words
I would call it a show of words.
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On a day-to-day basis, the overall level of security is obviously low. We can't secure the airport road, can't stop the incoming into the Green Zone, can't stop the killings and kidnappings,
highlights lack obviously support time
Obviously every time you get a weakening of the coalition, it highlights the lack of international support for the U.S. mission.
chosen develop military mission obligation serve serving soldiers trained tremendous
Serving soldiers develop a tremendous sense of obligation to their comrades, and are trained to see the mission through. They know the military and the risk, and they have already chosen to serve their country.
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The problem with the speeches is they get gradually more realistic, but they are still exercises in spin. They don't outline the risks. They don't create a climate where people trust what's being said.
almost certain coalition efforts forces growing inclusive iraqi reach reality
The reality is that if the Shi'ites and Kurds can be inclusive and if they can reach a settlement with most of the Iraqi Sunnis, then the efforts of U.S. and coalition forces and the growing Iraqi forces are almost certain to be successful,
issue large
The real issue is that they have a very large booster under development.
achieve mean potential states technical
That doesn't mean the potential should be minimized. We know these states can achieve technical surprise.
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Having a country stay in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty that effectively is proceeding to defy it doesn't necessarily strengthen the treaty.