« Tom Fox: Why He Was There | Main | Anniversary... »
March 16, 2006
Operation Swarmer: Keep the Army Busy
So they captured "weapon caches":
More than 1,500 U.S. and Iraqi troops, more than 200 tactical vehicles and more than 50 aircraft participated in the operation, dubbed "Operation Swarmer," according to a statement released by the U.S. military command in Baghdad. The operation was intended to secure an area that has been a hotbed of insurgent activity over the last several weeks, military officials said. The military said early reports indicate that a number of weapons caches -- containing artillery shells, explosives, materials for making car bombs and military uniforms -- were captured.
If I could, I would like to poll all officers in the armed forces and the marines. I wish we could have a show of hands: who thinks that hunting for weapon caches with massive airpower will stop the insurgency or the sectarian violence in Iraq?
So, why this operation? Probably for two audiences: what remains of Bush's base in the United States, and the armed forces themselves. Remember the recent report about Zogby's polling of the troops? 72 percent want out, this year. A little bit of action would might help that.
Posted by zeynep at March 16, 2006 08:39 PM
Comments
Zeynep, I think there is more too it than ``a little bit of action''. Yes, news about capturing ``insurgents'' and ``weapons caches'' virtually is boilerplate, not unlike what they've used in a plethora of these operations. But is it beginning to look like the US leadership has taken a decision to slowly terrorize and at the same time smash the place to pieces in order to pacify it maybe some day?
Posted by: Eric at March 17, 2006 10:07 AM