23: So: Iraq was already an idee fixe and all the more convenient because it would be a showcase for USA military might, not shadow war.
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Replying to @HeerJeet
24. Further, defeating Saddam would (they thought) cow larger Arab world. In immortal words of Tom Friedman, message was "suck on this"
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Replying to @HeerJeet
25. Friedman's entire "suck on this" speech worth a listen for view into Iraq war supporter mentality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwFaSpca_3Q …
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Replying to @HeerJeet
26. RT
@kerfluffer Rumsfeld on Afghanistan "there are no targets there".1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
27. Related factor was even after 9/11 USA gov't wasn't willing to openly challenge the real patrons of Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia & Pakistan
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Replying to @HeerJeet
29. Last point is worth pondering: Pentagon's whole approach to war is state-based, not adapted to fighting non-state actors.
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Replying to @HeerJeet
@HeerJeet 2005...Thomas PM Barnett says the U.S. needs to adapt to war in/with failed states. http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_barnett_draws_a_new_map_for_peace?language=en …1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @joshuahind
@joshuahind Right, post-2003 USA army starts adapting but pre-2003 very much an army geared towards fighting other states.2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
@joshuahind Sure, and COIN itself has a long history -- see Douglas Blaufarb's The Counterinsurgency Era. But still, not a US army favorite
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