Comments for (Re-) Creating Anbar's Awakening at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 12 out of 12 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:48:57 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18313 Folks, I know I am going to catch it with this comment. But the Marines were on the wrong track in Iraq as much as the US Army was. In fact the first success pre-Surge success was US Army's with Colonel MacFarland in Ramadi. It was Ramadi that suddenly got some attention with some saying "Hey, maybe there is a way." And always remember it was USMC General Pace (then CJCS) who retired General Keane had to do an end run around to get support for General Petraeus. And you don't have to take my word for it. A person with no better authority than General Mattis stated so. And he is USMC. Finally, I know things went badly in Iraq from 2004 till 2007. But to say two plus two is five instead of four is not right. Especially if that five is at the expense of those that did see that the right thing was done in the end. Jack E. Hammond . - Jack E. Hammond Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:53:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18312 Folks, THE GAMBLE that deals with the Awakening movement and The Surge by Thomas Ricks (ie it seems everyone in the US military co-operated with the book) starts with the Marines in Haditha. That was the wake up. What happened (no matter that command influence in the US short circuited the prosecution) caused them to realize that we were not only make war on AQ, but the whole Iraqi population. The book starts with a whole 1st chapter on that night. And why if we did not change, it would not only cause us to loose Iraq, but cause a change in the US military for the worst, similar to the French Army in Algeria. To his credit, then Marine Commandant Hagee realized the danger and moved fast, even flying to Iraq to talk to his Marines. Jack E. Hammond . - Jack E. Hammond Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:38:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18280 It is refreshing to hear clear and concise explanations for victorious war strategy. Would that the Obama Administration have such clarity and insight.... - Timaay Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:09:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18195 Your firsthand observation is refreshing but not unexpected. My son is a Marine and we watched him go from a troubled kid into a man. The knowledge of killing when necessary comes with the better options of helping the Iraqi's develop their own future. My family is very proud of how our troops (the surge) performed and now it is up to Iaq to build their country. Thank you and Semper Fi - Carl T Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:34:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18191 The Obama administration I believe is taking the wrong path also. The warring tribes of Afghanistan have been fighting since the bibical times and it will not cease until they are shown that they can trust each other. This will not be accomplished by force but by trust. If we show the tribal elders that we are there to help them help themselves and win their trust so they will help us rout out the AQI's then and only then will we make progress in Afghanistan. Yes, it will take money and if it is used wisely we can start getting some control in the heavy fighting provinces where the AQI's are strong. - camodeerhunter Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18180 Michael: Thank you so much for your years of wonderful work bringing the light on Iraq. God bless you! The truth sets free and you are the means by which truth succeeded. How amazinglyl wonderful have our forces been! Their conduct is an everlasting glory to our nation and considering the general decadence of our nation, an astonishing wonder. You are one of two who have documented and chronicled this epic saga of righteous heroism and wisdom. Thank you! I doubt the history of the world has a story to rival this one. No military has ever conducted itself with such savy strength and goodness. And praise to President Bush who steadfast stood alone against the world providing the necessary authority. His name goes down with the most honorable of the ages in my book, and I think my book will long outlast those others. Damn them! As for your comments re Afghanistan and the lessons of Iraq, you are the expert. You are surely right. I start to think Obama has good intentions but does he have the character to do what is necessary amidst the howlings of the hienas of the left. I doubt it. Character like Bush has comes maybe once a millenium, I fear. Nevertheless I like him (Obama) and I pray for him. Hank Kistner - Hank Kistner Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18171 I have worked in education for 22+ years, and I am constantly amazed at the overall view taken by many in the field that our country is always wrong, our military is evil, and the Marines are a bunch of apes that only want to destroy things. Gabriel Ledeen has once again shattered this, as have the many young people that joined the Marines and return, calling those people 'Sir' that they used to give such trouble to. Very intelligent article, that will, of course, be discounted by those in the present administration that may read it. - bdhale Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:26:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18166 Let's compare apples to apples... the U.S. deployed around 160,000 troops to Iraq at the peak in 2005 (based on info. available on the internet.) The "surge" came later after troop levels had been reduced to around 100,000 to 115,000. Currently, we have 38,000 (est.) troops deployed in Afghanistan total! That's it! Obama will supposedly add 17,000 to that bringing the total to 55,000 troops. To me, this seems Vietnam-esque. Its a trickle when we need a flood. Our government is not acting like it wants to win in Afghanistan. Maybe because the current administration doesn't want America to win. The Obama administration actually despises America and everything we stand for and believe in. So why would they take the necessary steps to make America victorious (and even more importantly, the Afghan people who desparately need a better way of life)? Sorry to be the "buzz kill" here but that is the reality we are dealing with. Love the work you do, Michael. Keep it up! I will always support you even if I occasionally disagree with your opinions. But that's American, isn't it? Praying as always for your safety and well-being. - Nancy Kennedy Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:20:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18162 Ralph Peters thinks the proposals are a recipe for disaster as well. He has a superb column this weekend making the argument that AlQ is not the Taliban. I wholeheartedly agree. We need to focus on Iran and its plans for bombs, its invovlement with Venezuela to attack our Mexican border, moving weapons into our neighbor via Nicaragua. We are giving foreign aid to Pakistan, to Egypt, to Israel, to other Arab countries? Why? - jono39 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:24:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18161 Marines have long fought counter-insurgency operations in this manner. When the Marines in Anbar realized the Army's plan wasn't working and in fact was getting Marines killed at a horrific rate, they did what Marines always do, they improvised and overcame. After Anbar was pretty well secure, the Marines offered a solution to Afghanistan. They wanted to pull the Marines out of Iraq and replace all forces in Afghanistan with the Marine Corps Air-Ground team in Divisional Strength. After the Marines embarrassed the Army brass in Anbar, they couldn't swallow the potential of the Marines pulling their fat out of the fire once again. - Robert Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:16:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18154 Great article, sir. I don't know how easy it will be to replicate success in Astan with NATO there sitting on their butts, burning up supplies. That, coupled with the current POTUS's predilection for not keeping his word are going to make it a lot harder than it needs to be, IMO. Time will tell, I hope and pray for the best outcome and for you all to come home safe and whole. - OldSoldier54 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:09:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/re-creating-anbar-s-awakening.htm#comment-18148 Mr. Ledeen's speaks with the authority only one who risked it all can have. Our son was a Corpsman assigned to Marine EOD in Iraq. We were in constant fear of his and his buddies perilous situation, yet through it all my son was proud of his role in helping them have a chance at freedom. Now he is being sent to Afghanistan. His returning comrades describe it as being multiple times more challenging that Iraq was, on many levels. In any case reading this article just reinforces my skepticism of what our political leader's seeming inability to either "get all in or get all out". These people actually attacked us at home and we should either give our military leaders on the ground all they need to succeed or just get out and suffer those consequences, but not to put our undermanned troops (our sons and daughters) in a no win situation. Mr. Ledeen, thank you for your service and sacrifice. - Michael Cahoon Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:18:00 +0100