Sunday, April 25, 2004
Najaf
I'm just some guy who programs for a living and writes occasionally for technology news sites, so what the hell do I know? BUT...I think it might be a better idea to keep Najaf surrounded indefinitely. Finish the job in Fallujah, fine. But stay out of Najaf.
Al-Sadr's militia are stockpiling weapons in mosques, shrines and schools, all things that Americans, for obvious reasons, won't pound into rubble with heavy mortars. Najaf is just about the holiest site in all of Shiism. Keep Al-Sadr confined. But don't turn him into a martyr.
Other Shiite religious leaders WILL NOT come out against Al-Sadr, even though it's pretty clear they don't support him and don't like him, because NO LEADER can be said to side with the "Great Satan". We can't rely on Shiite's to solve their own problems. Lets not solve it for them. Make the ring around Najaf all but airtight. Don't let Al-Sadr, or people in his militiar (that we know to be part of the militia) in or out of Najaf.
Shiite leaders may complain about the confinement. In response, we can tell them to take Al-Sadr down a notch themselves. If Al-Sadr is delivered to the Iraqi government, the encirclement of Najaf will end. But not before.
But like I said, I have no idea what I'm talking about, and I'm certainly no expert in military affairs. I have no idea how hard (or expensive) it would be to keep Najaf confined. It's much easier being an armchair quarterback in such situations.
I'm just some guy who programs for a living and writes occasionally for technology news sites, so what the hell do I know? BUT...I think it might be a better idea to keep Najaf surrounded indefinitely. Finish the job in Fallujah, fine. But stay out of Najaf.
Al-Sadr's militia are stockpiling weapons in mosques, shrines and schools, all things that Americans, for obvious reasons, won't pound into rubble with heavy mortars. Najaf is just about the holiest site in all of Shiism. Keep Al-Sadr confined. But don't turn him into a martyr.
Other Shiite religious leaders WILL NOT come out against Al-Sadr, even though it's pretty clear they don't support him and don't like him, because NO LEADER can be said to side with the "Great Satan". We can't rely on Shiite's to solve their own problems. Lets not solve it for them. Make the ring around Najaf all but airtight. Don't let Al-Sadr, or people in his militiar (that we know to be part of the militia) in or out of Najaf.
Shiite leaders may complain about the confinement. In response, we can tell them to take Al-Sadr down a notch themselves. If Al-Sadr is delivered to the Iraqi government, the encirclement of Najaf will end. But not before.
But like I said, I have no idea what I'm talking about, and I'm certainly no expert in military affairs. I have no idea how hard (or expensive) it would be to keep Najaf confined. It's much easier being an armchair quarterback in such situations.
