Comments on: Who was right about Basra — experts or war bloggers? http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/followup/ A discussion of geopolitics, broadly defined, from an American's perspective. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:56:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Fabius Maximus http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/followup/#comment-2201 Fabius Maximus Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:46:57 +0000 http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-2201 Note the update, a new article added: "Iraqi forces see victory in Basra", Inside Iraq Blog at The Times (25 April 2008) -- More evidence that the war bloggers were right, the area experts wrong about the fighting in Basra. Note the update, a new article added: “Iraqi forces see victory in Basra”, Inside Iraq Blog at The Times (25 April 2008) — More evidence that the war bloggers were right, the area experts wrong about the fighting in Basra.

]]> By: Keith_Indy http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/followup/#comment-2160 Keith_Indy Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:23:03 +0000 http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-2160 "It is too soon to draw conclusions" I've been stating that repeatedly. The Sunnis making moves to end their boycott is a positive development. I would quibble with VI "Five years of American reconstruction programs have produced little." More properly stated, our efforts have had little impact in Sadr City. And what efforts have we made in Sadr City. Before any real reconstruction can take place, there needs to be security in place. If the locals aren't cooperating in their own security, then efforts to keep them secure aren't going to be successful. That may be simplified, but where things in Iraq are doing better, the locals buy in to the plan, help with their security, and then see security/economic improvements. “It is too soon to draw conclusions”

I’ve been stating that repeatedly. The Sunnis making moves to end their boycott is a positive development.

I would quibble with VI “Five years of American reconstruction programs have produced little.” More properly stated, our efforts have had little impact in Sadr City. And what efforts have we made in Sadr City. Before any real reconstruction can take place, there needs to be security in place. If the locals aren’t cooperating in their own security, then efforts to keep them secure aren’t going to be successful. That may be simplified, but where things in Iraq are doing better, the locals buy in to the plan, help with their security, and then see security/economic improvements.

]]> By: Rune Kramer http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/followup/#comment-2159 Rune Kramer Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:43 +0000 http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-2159 "there are no signs of reconstruction. Instead, the streets are filled with mounds of trash and bubbling pools of sewage. Many neighborhoods are still without electricity" It may be a bit of a side track but it is interesting to seen how often the lack of trash, sewage etc is taken as a sign of success. I have yet to see an article which shown what priorities the locals have. Is it water, electricity etc. or something else? “there are no signs of reconstruction. Instead, the streets are filled with mounds of trash and bubbling pools of sewage. Many neighborhoods are still without electricity”

It may be a bit of a side track but it is interesting to seen how often the lack of trash, sewage etc is taken as a sign of success.

I have yet to see an article which shown what priorities the locals have. Is it water, electricity etc. or something else?

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