Strategic Armchair Command: WAR COUNCIL

EMPIRE AND MILITARY IDENTITY

Sun, 29 Jun 2003 22:53:22 GMT

"Trent steps into a debate between Vlahos & Pournelle. We are not seeing new patterns evolve here, he says. We are seeing old American military cultural memes and patterns re-emerge. The strength of the Vlahos column is that he's starting to ask some of the right questions about adapting the structure of the American military to an age of small wars."

Winds of Change.NET

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM IN IRAQ

Sun, 29 Jun 2003 22:26:42 GMT

Saddam Hussein in particular, and the Baath Party he led in general, were quite good at playing the local and Western media. Now out of power, captured documents and prisoner interrogations make it clear that Baath had a "worst case" plan. If Baath lost power, the Sunni Arabs who comprise most of the Baath Party, would engage in economic sabotage to increase popular unrest. Attacks on coalition troops, encouraged by cash bounties, would encourage the coalition to engage in reprisal measures that would further increase hatred for the foreigners.

StrategyPage

URBAN TACTICS GALORE

Wed, 09 Apr 2003 01:22:12 GMT

New Urban Warfare Tactics Employed By US Troops -- Janes

The Lessons Of Mogadishu
Mogadishu Lessons Help Foil Saddam's Strategy

"Iraqi leader Saddam Hussen's strategy of creating a "series of
Mogadishus" in Iraq's southern cities failed because the United
States committed overwhelming firepower and political will, unlike
in Somalia in 1993, Pentagon officials said yesterday." -- Washington Times

WAR COUNCIL -- BLOGS

Tue, 08 Apr 2003 08:07:59 GMT

How To Defeat An Urban Phalanx -- John Robb

4th I-D Heads for Tikrit -- The Greatest Jeneration

The Lesson Of Mogadishu -- Little Green Footballs

A Very Victorian War -- Winds Of Change

Baghdad vs. Stalingrad -- Instapundit

Urban Warfare Made Easier -- StrategyPage Via Instapundit

WAR COUNCIL -- MAINSTREAM MEDIA

Mon, 07 Apr 2003 03:24:43 GMT

NOW COMES THE 'CHECKPOINT' WAR

Active battles evolve into a trickier effort
Military Analysis: Thomas E. Ricks -- Washington Post

INCURSION AIMS TO SHOW RESIDENTS THAT US CAN ATTACK AT WILL

The American drive through Baghdad was the first of a series
intended to confuse the Iraqi military and topple Saddam Hussein.
Military Analysis: Michael Gordon, Chief Military Correspondant -- NY Times

PLAN IS TO CONTROL CITY STEP BY STEP

Quick armored thrust was designed to show the allies' ability to move into Baghdad at will.
Los Angeles Times

BREAKTHROUGH IN IRAQI CAPITAL

The American armored penetration into southern Baghdad suggest Iraq's defense of its capital is not functioning.
Ze'ev Chafitz, Haaretz Military Analyst

BOOTS ON THE GROUND WIN WARS

General Wesley Clark/CNN

FAIR TEST?

Shifting goals required a change in strategy, but that doesn't mean
the 'shock and awe' concept was flawed.
Harlan Ullman, creator of the 'Shock And Awe' concept

WAR COUNCIL -- BLOGS

Sun, 30 Mar 2003 23:39:37 GMT

Risks And Realities Of Urban Warfare -- Via Metafilter

Assymetric Warfare -- Via The Agonist

Movie Used As Iraqi Battle Plan -- The Command Post

War Plans, Iraqi Regulars -- The Command Post

Saddam's Penal Troops -- Winds Of Change

WAR COUNCIL

Sun, 30 Mar 2003 22:19:55 GMT

War Goals Begin To Diverge -- Washington Post

War Plan 'Audacious, Prudent' -- CNN

Too Little Shock, Not Enough Awe -- Los Angeles Times

WAR COUNCIL

Sun, 30 Mar 2003 03:38:25 GMT

The War In Iraq Turns Ugly. That's What Wars Do. -- James Webb/NY Times

Analysis: US Military Denies Pause. -- BBC Military Analyst

GENERAL FRANKS' AUDACIOUS PLAN

Fri, 28 Mar 2003 01:38:39 GMT

When Dan Goure talks, SACOM listens. Despite setbacks, according to Goure, General Franks' Plan proves he is the right man for the job. Bold Thrust Brings Critics, For Now

PENTAGON RE-ADJUSTS THE STRATEGY -- VIDEO

Fri, 28 Mar 2003 01:31:59 GMT

The Washington Post's Tom Ricks on the shifting military strategy. Post's Ricks On Military Ops.

ALLIED STRATEGY FOR THE SECOND WEEK

Thu, 27 Mar 2003 07:02:12 GMT

New York Times Chief Military Correspondent Michael R. Gordon details
the re-alignment of American strategy after the first week -- to
defeat the Fedayeen in the South and prepare for the battle of
Baghdad as the Second Armored Regiment and Fourth Infantry Division
arrive and re-inforce. Allies Adapt To Setbacks

SACOM ANALYSIS: A GOOD DAY FOR THE ALLIES

Wed, 26 Mar 2003 07:01:20 GMT

Contrary to popular perception, the war is not going badly for the allies. Yes, there are casualties. But unlike the Gulf War, the Iraqi regime this time is fighting for its very survival, and to expect its minions, who effectively have their backs against the wall, to just surrender, is unrealistic. They have nowhere to go.

Nevertheless, The outcomes of two major events of the day have fallen squarely on the side
of the allies. First a popular uprising in Basra lent credence to the administration's characterization of thiswar as one of liberation, not conquest. In addition, from a military point of view, it promises to considerably enable the allied effort of gaining control of Basra.

Further north, the largest battle in the war so far -- fought near Najaf against the Republican Guard -- resulted in a decisive allied tactical victory which left approximately five hundred Iraqi soldiers dead. The outcome of these two events underscore the essential advantages that lie on the Allies' side. When it comes to major engagements of conventional units in the field -- the allies will always emerge victorious. They simply dominate their opponents.

In addition, with regard to urban warfare, against irregular units, the Iraqi civilian population IS apparently on the allied side, as witnessed in Basra. This is a fundamental advantage which if manipulated properly will enable victory in the hardest fight of all -- the battle of Baghdad. More on that next time.

WAR COUNCIL: THE COMING BATTLE AND HOW IT WILL DEVELOP

Wed, 26 Mar 2003 05:28:34 GMT

Jeff at Caerdroia outlines the historical basis of armored warfare and how General Franks' take on it will affect the outcome of the coming Battle of Baghdad. Shocking And Awesome

COLONEL'S ROUNDTABLE -- ANALYSIS OF TODAY'S EVENTS -- AUDIO

Tue, 25 Mar 2003 07:54:21 GMT

Military Moves

NEW SACOM CATEGORY: WAR COUNCIL

Tue, 25 Mar 2003 07:41:14 GMT

SACOM will attempt to aggregate the best of military analysis on the web from both mainstream sites and blogs. To begin:

Key Battle Looms South Of Baghdad -- BBC

Unfolding Battle Holds Key To War -- MSNBC

A Battle Plan Ambushed -- LA Times