October 12, 2004
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When politicians start running the war…
national/internationalIf you are going to fight a war, your politicians/society should determine the objectives and the rules of engagement. However, once on the ground, tactical decisions should be made by the military within the confines of those rules and objectives. Politicians should not be involved in making strategic military decisions.
WASHINGTON – The Bush administration will delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.
Although American commanders in Iraq have been buoyed by recent successes in insurgent-held towns such as Samarra and Tall Afar, administration and Pentagon officials say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi — where insurgents’ grip is strongest and U.S. military casualties could be the greatest — until after Americans vote in what is likely to be a close election.
“When this election’s over, you’ll see us move very vigorously,” said one senior administration official involved in strategic planning, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Once you’re past the election, it changes the political ramifications” of a large-scale offensive, the official said. “We’re not on hold right now. We’re just not as aggressive.”
Snippet and link to latimes article were stolen from Eschaton.
