Iraq - 100 kidnapped...

[Neil]

*SHEESH* This is getting even more horrible http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/6146152.stm

[Terran]

Fubar

[Eyebiter]

Despite claims to the contrary the Iraqis aren't remotely prepared to take over security duties in their country. With an ongoing civil war the situation is too chaotic. Currently the new government refuses to make the various armed militia groups disband. Not to mention the Sunni & Shia insurgents have infiltrated legitimate Iraqi security forces. So you might have an entire unit of the Iraqi police that is full of enemy combatants. Last month a number of units were disbanded because of these concerns. Not sure what the solution is to train up the Iraqi Army. One option is to revive the "buddy system" used during the Korean War. During the 50's some units were integrated with 50/50 US and ROK troops. The GI's would pick up a bit of the languange and culture, while the South Koreans could learn english and US military fighting doctrine. Reading veterans accounts it was a win / win situation. The bigger question in Iraq is the amount of control given to the Shia milita groups run by Muqtada al-Sadr. His 7000+ troops currently run the Iraqi government health ministry, all hospitals, have armed patrols on the streets in certain parts of Baghdad.

[Danny]

Not sure what the solution is to train up the Iraqi Army. One option is to revive the "buddy system" used during the Korean War. During the 50's some units were integrated with 50/50 US and ROK troops. The GI's would pick up a bit of the languange and culture, while the South Koreans could learn english and US military fighting doctrine. Reading veterans accounts it was a win / win situation. sounds like a good idea to me.

[EvilNed]

Wow. Iraq seems much more pleasant than it was 7-8 years ago.

[dmbfanintn]

One option is to revive the "buddy system" used during the Korean War. During the 50's some units were integrated with 50/50 US and ROK troops. The GI's would pick up a bit of the languange and culture, while the South Koreans could learn english and US military fighting doctrine. Reading veterans accounts it was a win / win situation. Not just in the 50's, this is still going on. They are called "KATUSA's" (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army. I spent a year in Korea when I was in the Army in 1993-94 and we had KATUSA's. the ratio is not 50/50 anymore, its more like 75/25, it may have been then, but not now. It is a well intentioned program with its ups and downs. The KATUSA's gain rank a lot quicker than thier American counterparts. this creates issues because you will have soldiers that have been in for 4 or 5 years that are only a specialist and a KATUSA that has been in for 2 years and already a Seargant. The US soldier is expected to listen to and respect the higher ranking KATUSA, even though he has less TIS and doesn't know jack about the job. I saw many a fight between US guys and KATUSA's for this very reason. In addition the KATUSA's do not repsect the "American Way' if you will, very much, but they do not get the reprimands that US soldiers would get for similar behavior. Anyway, that's my .02.

[Khardis]

Wow. Iraq seems much more pleasant than it was 7-8 years ago. I know, you can just ask the Kurds.

[strayrider]

I believe the best solution in Iraq is to partition the country into seperate areas for each ethnic and religious group. Allow them to chose their own way of life and own identities. The only problem I can see would be with the aggressive Sunni and Shia militias. I suggest that the US air force bombard their strongholds with rock-n-roll CDs and porn videos. Johnny Holmes could become their new God and radical Islam would become benign. Abdul: Muhumma, let us go and blow something up! Muhumma: No, man, I just got the new Korn CD and a rare copy of Around the World with Johnny Wadd. I believe I will stay home this evening. -stray-

[EvilNed]

I know, you can just ask the Kurds. Talk about being blinded, dude. :s

[Rottedfreak]

Looks like Team America World Police got it spot on.

[Eyebiter]

dmbfanintn - thanks for the info on KATUSA's. While it sounds like a good idea during wartime, hadn't considered how the soldiers would interact during peacetime. Could see how the disparity in rank, pay, and how the troops were disciplined could be a real unit cohesion problem. Looks like kidnapping is now the new thing to do in Iraq. Either take em out and cut off their heads, or hold them for ransom to drive out foreigners and raise cash by criminals or terrorists.