Look For Pause In Allied Advance

Coalition forces are likely to take some time to consolidate their gains before mounting an assault on Baghdad, said retired Air Force Gen. Joe Ralston, a CBS News military analyst.

Despite recent casualties and the taking of POWs by Iraq, the overall campaign is going remarkably well, Ralston told CBSNews.com on Monday. And as coalition forces near Baghdad, the military operates from one simple premise.

"The ultimate outcome is not in question," said Ralston. This confidence means that military commanders have the options of letting their troops take a breather as more and more arrive on the outskirts of Baghdad.

The timetable for an attack on Baghdad will depend on how worn out troops are, and how much rest commanders want to give their troops from the initial entry into Iraq.

"There's definitely going to be a consolidation of forces (outside Baghdad)," said Ralston. "Whether that takes 4-5 days or 4-5 hours will be up to the commanders."

Troops have made a hard push in the last five days, and it may be in the best interests to allow some rest time. But that will depend on military intelligence and other factors, Ralston said.

Asked what might be different for troops in the second week of conflict, Ralston said there will likely be more head-on clashes between Iraqi and coaltion troops.

Although the U.S.-led coalition has shown restraint in not bombing Baghdad's electrical plants, water plants, television stations and other services used by civilians, Ralston described the first week of activity in the war as "intense."

"There has been something like 7,000 sorties -- many in places where there are no cameras."

Some key developments in the war include the newly-authorized use of Turkish air space, which has allowed the U.S.-led coalition to land troops in Iraq's northern border.

"That's been the under-played story," said Ralston. Having U.S. troops on the ground in northern Iraq is a key to upping the pressure on Saddam's regime.

Ralston said he's also pleased with the success and speed the 3rd Infantry Division has had in its northward trek to Baghdad. He says the securing of most of Iraq's oil fields in southern Iraq has gone extremely well, compared to what might have happened if Iraqi troops had set massive fires. Troops have secured over 500 oil wells, with only a half-dozen set on fire.

The loss of life and taking of POWs is disheartening, but was expected. The deaths by friendly fire of two British pilots on Sunday was also regrettable.

"We predicted friendly fire deaths at the beginnings … it's regrettable, but it's a complicated thing,'' said Ralston of the coordination between coalition troops.

"It's going well," said Ralston. "There have been some bumps in the road - but we're ahead of the plan."

By David Hancock