Operation Cannon Fodder: Bush's Grand Delusionby Chris FloydJan. 14, 2007 |
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So here's the plan from George W. Bush: And that's it. That's the much ballyhooed, eagerly anticipated "New Way Forward." The New York Times dutifully called the plan "a major tactical shift in war," although it is of course nothing of the kind. It is the same "plan" with the same vague goals as all the others: "Iraqis taking control, insurgents being defeated, reconstruction winning hearts and minds, democratic unity forming among all of Iraq's sects, tribes, clans and factions." In what way does any of this constitute a "major shift" of any kind from the rhetoric we've heard before? The only major difference is that the Bush Regime is now becoming more open about its insistence that the oil law – which was largely designed in Washington – be put in place. They are obviously growing more anxious on this point, as well they should, seeing how it's one of the primary objectives of this entire bloodsoaked enterprise. The Times does note that Bush was more candid in a pre-speech confab with Congressional leaders. There he made clear that the democratically chosen prime minister of the absolutely sovereign democratic Iraqi government will be summarily removed by the President of the United States if he doesn't produce results. But goodness gracious granny me – as old Don Rumsfeld might say – isn't that the sort of authority that is usually exercised upon, well, a colony, not a sovereign state? Can Mr. Bush possibly be implying that the people of Iraq will not be allowed to choose their own leaders, if said leaders are not pleasing to Washington? Can it be that we have perhaps been somehow misinformed as to the true nature of the "American experiment in Iraq," as the NYT demurely describes four years of carnage and chaos? But Bush's candor with the Congressionals didn't stop with his threat to strongarm Maliki out of office. He also revealed the "magical thinking" that has long been the hallmark of his strategic vision: the endearingly child-like trait of squeezing his eyes shut tight and making a wish that his dreams will come true. When the legislators asked Bush why he thought that this continuation and exacerbation of the same tactics that have failed repeatedly and spectacularly over the past four years will now suddenly be crowned with victory, Bush clenched him little fists and stamped him little feet and said: "Because it has to." So there you have it. The plan which is no plan but the same plan that has already failed will succeed "because it has to." Never mind that according to the highly-praised "counterinsurgency manual" written by Lt. Gen. David Petraeus – the very man now charged with carrying out this "major shift in tactics" – the new plan cannot possibly succeed. As Josh Marshall notes (in an analysis of a Fred Kaplan piece in Slate): ..Look at what the manual says. Counter-insurgency operations require at least 20 combat troops per 1000 people in a given area. And look closely. That's not just military personnel, but combat troops.But forget all that. Even though the commanding general's own doctrines guarantee another murderous failure, Bush's new "plan" will succeed "because it has to." He's closed his eyes, you see; he's made his wish. Now the fairies will make it come true. __________ Chris Floyd is the author of Empire Burlesque: The Secret History of the Bush Regime. |