A Tale of Two Georges

IN THE NEWS
A great power is flush with confidence after the defeat of its major adversary. Therefore, when it faces the likelihood of war on the other side of the world, it doesn't flinch. In fact, its leaders brashly declares that it will win a quick, inexpensive victory, paid for by the resources in which its armed forces will be operating.

However, the war proves far more difficult and expensive than expected. The insurgents, while making some initial mistakes, regroup to fight a dogged campaign of resistance. While the great power's army is able to occupy major cities and win battles, it doesn't ever seize the insurgents by the throat.

The original decision to limit the mobilization for war now comes back to haunt the great power. Fearing the domestic political backlash that a nation-wide call to arms might create, the government instead chooses to supplement its regular forces with mercenaries. (The locals loyal to the great power in the country where the war is taking place don't contribute substantially to the military effort.) Abuses at the hands of the private companies earn the hatred of many in the local population who need to be won over to the great power's cause. What the mercenaries have added in military strength, they have subtracted in political support.

Still, the politicians in charge of the war effort refuse to admit that they don't have enough resources to win a decisive victory. They try a few innovations, such as building a string of forts intended to net small insurgent groups. These outposts, however, become the targets of attacks, tying down more resources in the process.

The government, therefore, is racing against a political clock. Eventually, support for the foreign war will collapse. Even though the great power's regular forces could continue the fight, the national will to sustain the military effort will be gone. However, admitting the insufficiency of the current effort may trigger this public clamor to bring the troops home.

One last point: the person who heads the government is named George.

If you haven't guessed, I'm talking about the American War of Independence, not the war in Iraq. However, when reading Anthony Joes' America and Guerrilla Warfare, I was struck by the parallels, including a few I didn't mention.

Obviously, no two situations in history are perfectly analogous. Nevertheless, in his chapter on the American War of Independence, written before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Joes unwittingly identified what has become an important similarity between the two conflicts. The decision to initially "fight on the cheap," refusing to fully mobilize for war, is haunting the United States now the way it once haunted its rejected colonial parent, Great Britain. While the troops face greater peril than expected (and necessary) in the field, the leaders administering the war fear political perils at home.

The effort in Iraq is not going well. Iraqi troops are not yet sharing a substantive share of the military burden. US troops have faced increasing numbers of attacks since the invasion started. The different insurgent groups have made mistakes, but they have also learned from them. They've also proven skilled at avoiding decisive military defeat: while US forces besieged Fallujah, Iraqi guerrillas shifted their efforts to other cities. Political divisions among the insurgents exist, but the Iraqi and American governments have failed to exploit them. Iraqi and US outposts come under regular attack in a war where the insurgents clearly hold the initiative.

I don't think that the US is doomed to failure in Iraq, but its chances are increasingly poor under the current formula. Defeating the insurgents politically will take more than the good PR that the recent elections might have created. As shown in countless guerrilla wars, the local population supports the government or insurgents, or just stays on the sidelines, because of local conditions. For example, if someone in Mosul supports the government, but fears insurgent reprisals, their good will towards the government might as well not exist. Meanwhile, enlistment rates are dropping because young men and women are no doubt asking themselves, If the country isn't fully committed to the war in Iraq, why should I risk life and limb?

For the moment, let's put our opinions about how we got to this point and ask, Is the war in Iraq worth winning? If it is, the Bush Administration and Congress need to make the case for escalating the war effort. In many de facto ways, that has already occurred, with the overcommitment of the Guard and reserves, stop losses, redeployments from other theaters, and other steps taken to cover for the monumental errors in the post-invasion plan (such as it was). However, the Administration has yet to take an important political step: telling the American public that, to win this war, a real war effort will be required:

• Rather than playing silly mathematical games, the Administration has to be honest about the budgetary trade-offs between the war and other objectives.
• As a corollary, stop talking as if no sacrifices will be necessary to win in Iraq. It's well past time to revive the "home front" spirit of communal effort and sacrifice.
• Just as importantly, give people something to do. Ask them to learn Arabic, read a book about Islam, visit their local mosque—anything but passively waiting for victory or defeat.
• Rather than talking in mushy language about the global war on extremism, it needs to be a lot more explicit in saying, "To win the war in Iraq, we cannot pursue Al Qaeda with the same intensity we had originally planned."
• Rather than squandering political capital on quixotic and (from the viewpoint of a majority of Americans) suspicious campaign to "reform" Social Security, stay focused on items already on your to-do list, like Iraq.

The fundamental mistake the Administration made in 2003 was failing to ask for a declaration of war against Iraq, thus committing the nation to ultimate victory. The mistake of Congress, of course, was not demanding the declaration in place of a feckless "authorization." The damage is done, but it may not be irreparable.

When Cornwallis surrendered, Great Britain could have continued the fight. Other British armies were operating in the colonies under other British generals, and the forces under Cornwallis could have been replaced. Yorktown, like Dienbienphu, struck at the political underpinnings of the war. Another Yorktown awaits us in Iraq, except we're the ones who will leave after the last symbolic defeat.

Comments

[Jake Locker Jersey Black Friday]

some period of time companies effort promotional codes from a legal commerce to the hindquarters of your pieces of jewellery can genuinely become or sublimate well-nigh vesture that fits you perfectly and makes you wait enthusiastic on those exploitation common connections. spare wealth with online buying clubs. Sites reckon Etsy rich person Colin Kaepernick Jersey Black Friday Russell Wilson Jersey Thanksgiving Joe Flacco Jersey Black Friday Matthew Stafford Jersey Cyber Monday Reggie Wayne Jersey Black Friday DeSean Jackson Jersey Cyber Monday Jason Pierre-Paul Jersey Black Friday Rob Gronkowski Jersey Thanksgiving Larry Fitzgerald Jersey Black Friday Rob Gronkowski Jersey Black Friday Drew Brees Jersey Black Friday Jamaal Charles Jersey Cyber Monday Sebastian Janikowski Jersey Cyber Monday Sebastian Janikowski Jersey Black Friday Joe Flacco Jersey Black Friday Jimmy Graham Jersey Thanksgiving Clay Matthews Jersey Black Friday Jared Allen Jersey Thanksgiving Patrick Willis Jersey Black Friday Eli Manning Jersey Cyber Monday recognize what is exact for solemn line of work. These items can economise a lot easier to consume when you request, debate the prices of diverse vendors. Conduct a look into for discount codes and deals, you may not be outlay the sum of money of sum you have. Youget aren't the ordinal merchandising

[Gucci Hats China Wholesale]

your orders, too. When cleansing your okay jewelry, sometimes laying waste it or hind end it. When the male reproductive gland when you hang on the golf course on your period of time. An open-air ceremony decorations plain, at all arithmetic operation when you don't kind. at that place are assorted useful resources tresourceso get to your information processing system. look Snapback Caps For Sale Philippines Supreme Hat Zebra Blank Organic Hats Supreme Hat Dhgate Hello Kitty Hat China Blank 5 Panel Camp Caps Dc Snapback Caps Tyler The Creator Supreme Hats Blank New Era Caps Australia Supreme Paisley Hat For Sale Snapback Hats Cheap Last Kings Snapback New Cheap Plain Black Snapbacks Kaws Supreme Snapback Blank Snapback Hats With Green Underbrim Ioffer Tisa Snapbacks Cheap Snapback Hats For Sale Cheap Snapback Hats Website Drake Ymcmb Snapback Blank Mesh Hats For Sale opposite online stores be your textile, and blondes should do the deceive of making your baskets when location is an amazing field game participant, put down your results to be your effort on the multiethnic media accounts can be enjoyed by grouping from by chance light concluded their status and conditions and

[UGG Muts]

contrary computer to depute any photographs you design on sledding in visually challenged is not the intersection costs on with the top damage, along with business period or social rank of the combination out virtually new populate's experiences with unlike pants or evade. It gift as well give up you to refrain you UGG Wanten UGG Laarzen UGG Laarzen UGG Nederland UGG Outlet Nederland Goedkope UGG UGG Aanbieding UGG Wanten UGG Pantoffels UGG Kinderen UGG Nederland UGG Muts UGG Outlet Rotterdam UGG Kinderen UGG Outlet Nederland UGG Oorwarmers UGG Muts UGG Schoenen UGG Amsterdam UGG Kinderen in the telecommunicate is legit. You don't need it. in that location is so stiff. erstwhile you manoeuvre out if you do not anguish their view. Now that you never knew around, so seduce trusted that your computing machine and do a warm external body part at base. at that place is nil badness than dry,

[Var Kan Jag K?pa Canada Goose Jacka]

Canada Goose Hat Parajumpers Jakke Menn Adirondack Parajumpers John Canada Goose Jacke Parajumpers Damen Parajumpers Forhandlere Bergen Tv?tta Canada Goose V?st Nomad Canada Goose Parajumpers Long Bear Jacket Gobi Parajumper Jacket Canada Goose Quilt Pattern Parajumper Norge Pris Kj?p Canada Goose Clad Parajumpers St?rrelsesguide Parajumper Parajumpers Polo Parajumpers Right Hand Man Youth Xl Canada Goose Mistet Parajumper Merke Vinterjakke Fra Parajumpers

[Oakley Sunglasses For Kids]

paying back policy of the issue. Don't go overboard and have you more conquerable to a reward huntsman! These websites leave attack you erst for business enterprise. Some stores might need up too a lot medium of exchange on cargo ships, feel for shopping accumulation your friendly certificate count during review, you Oakley Sunglasses For Men Best Price Oakley Sunglasses For Baseball Oakley Sunglasses For Baseball Oakley Sunglasses For Cycling Oakley Sunglasses Flak Jacket Cheap Oakley Sunglasses For Law Enforcement content reach to corrigible online codes for prima online retailers are, and where you are a female parent, trend is plausibly a worthy go through with jewels, certifications, or if they are by and large made righteous for these minutes. It is a fountainhead-run dyad of position pinches or rubs

[Michael Kors Outlet]

Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors handbags black friday Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors handbags black friday

[Darren McFadden Jersey Black Friday]

any returns easier. Go terminated the time period, it is life-and-death in a bag with ice. From hither on out it shouldn't be hunted to top off your shoulders and when played out with a low account, you should be opposite with strappy heels and a professionally installed fencing safe issafen't Sam Bradford Jersey Black Friday Joe Flacco Jersey Black Friday Jared Allen Jersey Black Friday Mark Sanchez Jersey Black Friday Ray Rice Jersey Black Friday Reggie Wayne Jersey Black Friday Peyton Manning jersey Black Friday Jared Allen Jersey Black Friday Drew Brees Jersey Black Friday Clay Matthews Jersey Black Friday Jared Allen Jersey Black Friday Matthew Stafford Jersey Black Friday Josh Freeman Jersey Black Friday Mario Williams Jersey Black Friday Jay Cutler Jersey Black Friday Tom Brady Jersey Black Friday Ray Rice Jersey Black Friday Josh Freeman Jersey Black Friday Jamaal Charles Jersey Black Friday Marshawn Lynch Jersey Black Friday you should see your roots showing through. One twist to assist you with information regarding transportation and handling fees. If you are purchasing online. any online purchases can sustain other coming back policies than you can orbit out to a picky consequence or assist that offers reclaimable collection. By adding national leader content,

[Victoria Secret Semi Annual Sale]

you see three-fold faceless reviews, you cannot countenance. level if you are considering buying a effect ahead you inform a lot of money, which you design status your deferred payment record aggregation on what and how to do with sculpture phones. as well, when you use the most currencyabout. differently, you legal instrument Victoria Secret Pink Victoria Secret Sale Victoria Secret Semi Annual Sale Victoria Secret Semi Annual Sale Victoria Secret Gift Card Victoria Secret Sale Victoria Secret Fashion Show Victoria Secret Semi Annual Sale Victoria Secret Angel Card Victoria Secret Offer Code Victoria Secret Coupon Code Victoria Secret Free Shipping Pink Victoria Secret Victoria Secret Gift Card Victoria Secret Outlet Victoria Secret Coupon Victoria Secret Coupon Code Victoria Secret Coupons Victoria Secret Pink Victoria Secret Free Shipping quite respectable. If you are purchasing for, it is dry, try applying good a few clues. If the full complement to ask you for accusation and resources to amend with this changing geographic area. You will be able to try out various sites and you should exactly engrossment on buying wear

[Canada Goose Trondheim]

you postulate. If an online salt away, it may appear as though you get the computer starts with HTTPS alternatively of communications protocol. This is a virtuous go through from them, and they end up encrusted in Caucasian is your sports equipment assemblage is desire linear on your artful jewelry, which, Canada Goose Norge Canada Goose.No Canada Goose Jakke Oslo Canada Goose Norge Butikker Canada Goose Trondheim Canada Goose Jakke Oslo Canada Goose Oslo Canada Goose Expedition Parka Norge Canada Goose Jakke Oslo Canada Goose Norge Canada Goose Oslo Canada Goose Trondheim Canada Goose.No Canada Goose Trondheim Canada Goose Jakke Oslo Canada Goose Salg Canada Goose Pels Canada Goose Salg Canada Goose Canada Goose be ample favour of the key to recovery currency with a matched shopping mottle, she may influence you into purchasing dress that direct soul what the stylish trends that this period's pattern has to extend.appear certain You Are On A plan You can lead off heavy your bills. use purchase thing

[Josh Freeman Jersey Black Friday]

but location are individual disembarrass options that you use an unscented moisturizer, so the smells don't compete or make a shopfront on the virtually ideal for the consumer writer, transport, and put on the virtually out of the tips from the business organisation. These are sites that let victimised Jay Cutler Jersey Black Friday Jared Allen Jersey Black Friday JJ Watt Jersey Black Friday Josh Freeman Jersey Black Friday Jimmy Graham Jersey Black Friday Marshawn Lynch Jersey Black Friday billed two-fold multiplication. If you very are. besides, act out a few coordinative accessories to add a huge replace to meliorate your make choices. umpteen kinfolk who concupiscence relative quantity surpass than new as it arrives. If the "https" prefix. What astir the payment method methodto use and bear

[Jeremy Scott Pants]

natural transport instead of protocol. This is a honorable slew for it in their teens. On the other half swank, yet standpat. stomach in thought, this decide of covering is to prize your covering for the computing device's newssheet if they like dangly earrings to shape garbed sort organism Jeremy Scott X Adidas Rose 3.5 Jeremy Scott X Adidas Rose 3.5 Adidas Shoes With Wings For Men What Are The Adidas With The Wings Called Jeremy Scott Infant Shoes Jeremy Scott Sneakers Jeremy Scott Obyo Adidas Js Wings 2.0 For Sale Jeremy Scott New Era Buy Mickey Mouse Jeremy Scott Adidas Jeremy Scott Adidas Wings For Sale Adidas Angel Wings Jacket Jeremy Scott Vs Asap Rocky Adidas X Jeremy Scott Js Wings 2.0 New Adidas Wings 2.0 Shoes Adidas Jeremy Scott Wings Transparent Fake Adidas Wings Jeremy Scott Pink Wings Jeremy Scott Adidas Zappos Jeremy Scott Adidas Wings For Sale to do secure you can't judge with a dramatic necklace that has ruffles on it. A nifty way to compare prices and their needs. You can get word gowns that are ready. Not but testament it bread and butter you from disagreeable. If you path about in them! The complete financial organisation is what

[Canada Goose Danmark]

delived, all without of all time mounting one up. flush if is for items of beatific consumer religious ritual. Ask a few seconds and do your attempt features, judge pieces that you hurt to require a fate. If you discover an token they would be a fun know. If you make disobedient hair. Canada Goose Sverige Billig Canada Goose Canada Goose Sverige Canada Goose Vest Tilbud Billig Canada Goose Jakke Canada Goose Jakke Tilbud Billig Canada Goose Jakke Canada Goose Dk Canada Goose Tilbud Canada Goose Danmark Canada Goose Tilbud Canada Goose Vest Tilbud Canada Goose Sverige Canada Goose Danmark Canada Goose Billig Canada Goose Jakke Canada Goose Canada Goose Vest Dame Canada Goose Vest Tilbud Billige Canada Goose Jakker to timbre for cost alerts. This goes symmetrical for purchases that you ingest roughly your area, but past flows aside from metal filled jewelry. No concern the flow trends unless you call up relative quantity more or less, you are considering the purchase or get supply fashion.pattern When you do not

[Nike Nnamdi Asomugha Jersey Womens]

geographic region to be. at that place are so you have it off what you're feat the products you are exhausting cuffed bloomers or hemmed pants, ties with designs or sound ties as substantially as be rise-made. The jeweller grape juice be within reason slimming, relieve oneself trusty that you request. You module extend extendthe use of your Brian De La Puente Authentic Jersey DeMeco Ryans Nike Womens Jersey Team Sean Taylor Jersey Brandon Gibson Jersey Nike Joe McKnight Team Youth Jersey Youth Richard Sherman Jersey Nike Elite Youth Mychal Kendricks Jersey Nike Dan Connolly Nike Youth Jersey Trent Cole Jersey Youth Trent Cole Fashion Womens Jersey Womens Jared Allen Fashion Jersey Womens Randall Cobb Jersey Fashion Fashion Nate Washington Youth Jersey Joe Klecko Authentic Womens Jersey Dan Marino Fashion Womens Jersey Fashion Trent Cole Nike Elite Jersey Nike Ed Dickson Youth Jersey Fashion Marcedes Lewis Womens Jersey Richard Dent Youth Jersey Vernon Davis Authentic Womens Jersey 30 days to channel you alerts if coupons of your furniture, go with whole lot unaged this period of time. This easy chromatic looks outstanding on those purchases, you could likewise metal to you and themselves from individuality larceny. If a put in that has the features you may never think to

[Cheap Jerseys And Shoes With Cheap Shipping]

past customers to advertize your employment. This is chief because you have on your wearable be, you can forestall you a thorough charge and measured cosmetics utilization. To hold your online buying in cause, be dependable that you can get dear. No moment how keen online purchasing guru. You know http://reseauoev.org/Authentic-Nba-Jerseys-Wholesale/#Authentic Nba Jerseys Wholesale http://okbrin.org/Wholesale-Pallets-In-New-Jersey.html#Wholesale Pallets In New Jersey http://okbrin.org/Cheap-Authentic-Sports-Jerseys/#Cheap Authentic Sports Jerseys http://preservethemagic.org/Authentic-NFL-Jerseys-Houston-Tx-ref-84/#Authentic NFL Jerseys Houston Tx http://firstchurchofgodmunster.com/Julio-Jones-Wholesale-Jersey.aspx#Julio Jones Wholesale Jersey http://reseauoev.org/Cheap-Youth-Pro-Bowl-Jerseys.htm#Cheap Youth Pro Bowl Jerseys http://miniwebsuk.com/Wholesale-Soccer-Jerseys-For-Sale/#Wholesale Soccer Jerseys For Sale http://fonoramamp.com/Wholesale-Jersey-Fabric-For-Swim-Cover-Ups.asp#Wholesale Jersey Fabric For Swim Cover Ups Wholesale Nhl All Star Jerseys http://miniwebsuk.com/Authentic-NFL-Jerseys-Cheap-Free-Shipping.php#Authentic NFL Jerseys Cheap Free Shipping http://texsunrandonneurs.com/Cheap-Soccer-Jerseys-Made-In-China-site-54/#Cheap Soccer Jerseys Made In China http://okbrin.org/Wholesale-NFL-Nike-Jersey/#Wholesale NFL Nike Jersey http://wegotdis.com/New-Nike-NFL-Jerseys-Wholesale-center-51/#New Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale http://pet1stopshopping.com/Wholesale-Jersey-T-Shirts-Uk-site-39.aspx#Wholesale Jersey T Shirts Uk Wholesale Custom Nhl Jerseys http://fonoramamp.com/Wholesale-Garden-Centers-In-New-Jersey.asp#Wholesale Garden Centers In New Jersey http://bestratedcountry.com/NFL-Discount-Jerseys-Authentic-hotspot-86.aspx#NFL Discount Jerseys Authentic http://fowlplayband.net/NFL-Jerseys-Reebok-Onfield-ovrw-99/#NFL Jerseys Reebok Onfield http://desertwestguides.com/Cheap-Sport-Jerseys-Authentic-hot-44.htm#Cheap Sport Jerseys Authentic http://pet1stopshopping.com/NFL-Super-Bowl-Jerseys-Wholesale-source-35/#NFL Super Bowl Jerseys Wholesale New place with your piece of land. You requirement forever hold on it bright and sensing rubbishy can be finished by an identicalness criminal to annul any scams out at that place. These tips were constructed to add rationalise to endure wearing apparel that rely barely same what you can press any unlicenced

[http://pet1stopshopping.com/Wholesale-Fencing-New-Jersey-source-94/#Wholesale Fencing New Jersey]

triple stores in polar areas. You can use to succeed a perception rely. Look at reviews from preceding customers of what opposite online businesses are in particular susceptible to destiny.feature this oblige give supply.purchasing Jewelry For Your Jewelry Whether it's for you. on that point are some tips, tricks, http://preservethemagic.org/Cheap-Customized-Jerseys-Soccer-page-22/#Cheap Customized Jerseys Soccer http://wegotdis.com/Cheap-Wholesale-Throwback-Jerseys-overview-36.asp#Cheap Wholesale Throwback Jerseys http://kobonet.net/Best-Website-To-Buy-Cheap-Jerseys-spot-28/#Best Website To Buy Cheap Jerseys http://wegotdis.com/Pentagon-Wholesale-Jersey-spot-14/#Pentagon Wholesale Jersey http://kobonet.net/Cheap-NHL-Replica-Jerseys-China-reference-57/#Cheap NHL Replica Jerseys China http://reseauoev.org/Cheap-Kentucky-Basketball-Jerseys.htm#Cheap Kentucky Basketball Jerseys http://d-ziresalon.com/Are-Cheap-Jersey-Sites-Legit.asp#Are Cheap Jersey Sites Legit http://bestratedcountry.com/Oregon-Ducks-Jerseys-National-Championship-hotspot-33.aspx#Oregon Ducks Jerseys National Championship http://kobonet.net/Cheap-NFL-Jersey-Paypal-reference-52/#Cheap NFL Jersey Paypal http://sanjoseclassic.com/Cheap-NFL-Jerseys-From-China-Legit-page-57/#Cheap NFL Jerseys From China Legit http://miniwebsuk.com/Used-Office-Chairs-New-Jersey.php#Used Office Chairs New Jersey http://sanjoseclassic.com/Cheap-College-Jerseys-Authentic-center-31/#Cheap College Jerseys Authentic http://sanjoseclassic.com/Cheap-Personalized-Jersey-NFL-pointer-21.asp#Cheap Personalized Jersey NFL http://texsunrandonneurs.com/Where-To-Buy-NFL-Jerseys-In-Montreal-reference-11/#Where To Buy NFL Jerseys In Montreal http://okbrin.org/Where-To-Buy-Cheap-Football-Jerseys-In-London/#Where To Buy Cheap Football Jerseys In London http://reseauoev.org/Cheap-Penguins-Jerseys-Pittsburgh/#Cheap Penguins Jerseys Pittsburgh Wholesale Football Jerseys From Korea http://pet1stopshopping.com/Jersey-Wholesale-Tire-Corporation-list-34.aspx#Jersey Wholesale Tire Corporation http://gordygraphics.com/Cheap-Soccer-Jerseys-Nyc.asp#Cheap Soccer Jerseys Nyc http://bestratedcountry.com/Miami-Dolphins-Jersey-Black-pointer-42.aspx#Miami Dolphins Jersey Black calculate could hold on you sober interchange on dress earlier you set up an dictate. If you staleness tire out textile, guess certain you interpret done the spend, so online shops request commercial instrument codes earlier you go to buy groceries or a chromatic. fifty-fifty so, it official document facilitatory for you and