[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by tw

If so successful, then where is this political settlement? What is the purpose of war? Taking and solving that conflict in a negotiated settlement. Petraeus' success is tactical - as he predicted. Petraeus (and the US) cannot create a strategic solution - again as he predicted.

These basic military concepts have been explained repeatedly. What Petraeus has accomplished - a tactical success - is what the US Army also accomplished in Nam. US Army won most every battle and lost the war. Numerous tactical successes without a strategic success - that was Nam. As the 1965 book "Making of a Quagmire" demonstrates, a strategic success was not possible in Nam.

If Petraeus has achieved a strategic victory, then where is that political settlement? Or where is that political settlement ongoing? Various factions realign themselves while major Iraqi powers keeping their ammo stored and dry. When Sahdr says to lay low, then suddenly America is winning? When Sadr's Mahdi Army goes offensive for maybe a month, then suddenly America casualties increase to pre- surge numbers. So America is winning only because Sadr's Mahdi Army is waiting to take power? How is that a victory? Its not for the same reason that ‘light did not exist at the end of that tunnel’.

Petraeus achieved tactical success as predicted; but not a strategic victory. No military victory exists when the purpose of war - to take a dispute to the negotiation table - is not happening. Nobody is negotiating with Maliki. Major Iraqi forces are bidding time until time to strike (to take power) is ripe.

Concepts never taught to enlistedmen. Concepts learned in history from virtually every previous war including Nam. Petraeus stated same before the 'surge' began. He (and the US) cannot achieve a strategic victory. He can only achieve tactical success; make a strategic solution possible.

Those who never learned these basic military concepts have confused tactical success with a military victory. Deja vue Nam. Confusing tactical and strategic success resulted in body counts, "The Boys in Company C", and "we have met the enemy and he is us". No political solution means no military victory.

Furthermore - no phase four planning also means no military victory. "America does not do nation building" - the wacko extremist mantra - means no phase four planning was possible. Just another reason why strategic victory is not possible AND why a justified war in Afghanistan was also being lost.

What the hell is wrong with you? No personal attacks? you are slipping... no "TheMercenary this bla, bla, bla..., no "TheMercenary that bla, bla, bla..., you really should go back to making mail bombs Ted, Tom, or whatever your name is...