Bush's Shrinking Safety Zone

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An accurate source of reality has been PBS Frontline. An hour long news documentary on various subjects. Frontline has been particularly accurate on "Mission Accomplished" with their reports entitled Rumsfeld's War, The Torture Question, The Dark Side, and especially the blatant examples that violate even basic military science 101 principles The Lost Year in Iraq .

So how do we terminate a defeat called "Mission Accomplished"? The Iraq Study Group provided clear and stunningly comprehensive solution to minimize that defeat. But that defeat would be on George Jr's legacy.

Frontline details and organizes current events that may result in a fourth campaign defeat - EndGame

For example, obvious was an American defeat in Fallujah. Not the battle. Tactically, Second Fallujah was a victory. But strategically, Fallujah was a defeat; especially First Fallujah. Marines lost that one twice for no fault of their own. First when Marines were ordered to solve a crime problem faster with a full out military assault. Second when the same Washington micromanagers became appalled at what they had created and ordered the Marines to withdrawal. Iraqis then realized Americans could be defeated; inspiring growth of an insurgency fueled by widespread Iraqi dislike of an American occupation.

Not obviously stated in that report: at no time do even major strategists ask something so simple: "What do the Iraqis want?" Therein lays the question necessary for a strategic objective. Without those answers, then Americans could easily remain in Iraq for another decade - just like Nam.

Presented in Frontline's EndGame is the same scenario that lost Nam. Battles can be won but a war be lost.

Each Frontline reports is must viewing for those who learn history from current events. How badly is "Mission Accomplished" being lost? Most do not realize how bad even Fallujah was. Contempt for the Marines in Washington was appalling. A tactical victory such as Second Fallujah was, in reality, a strategic defeat. Appreciate why a once peaceful Diaylah province is now in civil war. Learn from EndGame why both Nam and “Mission Accomplished” are defeats – even when soldiers win each battle. Appreciate why 85% of all problems are directly traceable to a mental midget.