"On The Fly" Iraq Offensive Surprised U.S.

(CBS)  The U.S. military is sending advisers down to Basra to help the Iraqi army coordinate an operation which American officers say was "put together on the fly" and has degenerated into a stalemate.

These officers complain Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki acted "impulsively" in ordering an offensive his army was not prepared to conduct, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

The Iraqis didn't ask permission, they just went, which seems to have caught President Bush by surprise.

"You know, I'm not exactly sure what triggered the prime minister's response, but nevertheless he made the decision to move and we'll help him," Mr. Bush said.

But helping the Iraqis win in Basra could throw a monkey wrench into plans for withdrawing American troops.

U.S. officials say American combat troops would be sent into Basra only as a last resort but they expect more Iraqi troops will have to be committed to the battle. If they are, American troops would have to cover the areas left unprotected.

That would force Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, to choose between covering more territory with fewer troops or suspending the withdrawals that are bringing combat units home at the rate of about 3,500 soldiers a month.

No decisions have been made, but one U.S. official said many of the successes of the past 12 months are in danger of being cancelled out.

[b-easy63]

"The Iraqis didn''t ask permission, they just went, which seems to have caught President Bush by surprise."

Bush and the Bushites keep saying Iraq is a sovereign country. This means they are in charge of, and rule themselves not the power occupying them. IF that is so...no sovereign country needs or seeks permission before cracking down or policing itself in any way. Puppets do that.

Bush needs to really make up his mind which lie he wants to tell. Are we invaders or helpers? Is Al Maliki a puppet or a sovereign leader? If Iraq is sovereign, then why are we there without the permission of the people? If Iraq is sovereign how can we have military and fighters who can kill, detain and move around without Iraqi permission?

[j0hnwi11iams]

Oh yeah, no one could have anticipated violence breaking out in Iraq. Even money Cheney ordered it.

[x32792]

Bush has now united many heavily armed groups of religious wackcos all across Iraq and given them a common purpose and a common enemy.

[x32792]

When the invading and occupying US forces picked a side in this Civil War, the only outcome was unification of ALL the opposing factions against the American troops and the the puppet government set up by Bush. These diverse groups of Iraqi "freedom fighters" resent "The Decider" telling them who should run their country...and why not?

[cattlekate]

I am curious if some of the "army" actually bolted over to Al Sadr militia, now that they have shiny new US-made weapons.

[gkc99]

"Officials Say Iraqi PM Acted "Impulsively" And Fighting Could Roll Back A Whole Year Of Progress"


What utter drivel. And the sad part is there are still some misguided Americans who believe a word that the Darth Bushit administration says.

How could there have been any progress with these militias biding their time, awaiting only a word from the leader to start shooting? It''s not like they materialized from nowhere.

Bottom line: most of the "progress" touted by Bushit is completely illusory.

Translation for Republicans: "illusory" means it''s Bu*****!

[iceman_1960]

"The Iraqis didn"t ask permission, they just went, which seems to have caught President Bush by surprise."
--------------------

Bush struggled to regain his composure, as the school kids waited for him to resume with "The Pet Goat"...

[masagata]

What a wonderful country, while spending so much money for the freedom of other country, 31 million people are in hunger, 45 million cannot see a doctor to cure diseases in their country.

Plus sending 3rd nuke ship to the capital of greatest ally who pays them 6 billion bucks every year for their military expense and endangering 30 million people lives in the capital areas.

[gce65]

CBS:

Why are you and other media not covering the recent story about CIA Director Michael Hayden hosting a private dinner party for members of the media???

Not interested in exposing your industry''s in-bed relationship with govt agencies for access?

How about trying to re-establish some credibility as the fifth estate?

[gce65]

This story is b.s. and the public just isn''t buying it. Is it just a coincidence that "Slippery Diick" Cheney was there last week talking to Maliki and this week he launches this stupid offensive?

And is it just another coincidence that the revised deadline Maliki set for the Mahdi Army resistance to surrender is the same as when US Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. Petreus are set to give their latest report in Washington, DC?

If anything, I''ve learned with this administration to take the REVERSE of what they say to be the truth.