US army commanders have warned that the swift war in Iraq military planners had hoped for is now improbable. The strategy of bypassing the cities and moving on has actually met much stronger resistance than expected.
Fighting in the approach to the towns has slowed supplies to the troops and there is concern over provisions running low.
Meanwhile, the United States is investigating an incident in which at least seven Iraqi women and children were killed by US soldiers at a checkpoint near the city of Najaf in central Iraq as the bombing of Baghdad continued.
Do you think the coalition's strategy is working? Will Baghdad provide the real test of US and UK military tactics?
This is a second page of your comments.
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
 It may take a few months, but eventually the Iraqi people will be freed  |
Yes, I believe that they are. The US and UK are doing the best they can to free the people of Iraq with minimal losses on both sides. It may take a few months, but eventually the Iraqi people will be freed. Bush has said stay until the end, and I believe that to be true. Thank goodness for Tony Blair
Marie, USA How can it be that average Americans cannot understand why Iraqi's do not wish to be "liberated" by them? I think the answer is that there are two Americas. "America the Brave" where average Americans live and "America The Corporate" where the rest of us live. America the Brave believes in truth and justice whilst America the Corporate believes in nothing much at all except perhaps expediency and the ruthless pursuit of oil and money and its own propaganda, of course.
Seamus, Australia
No matter how much planning, theoretical modelling, stage scenarios, cause/effect analysis etc is done - no one can predict/determine human behaviour, pride, patriotism, pain, anger, frustration etc which will have a bearing on the outcome (both sides). One should not get carried away by the propaganda of both sides as the first casualty in a war is truth. (Go back to Gulf War I reports and post-mortems later to find the deviations) Time will tell - that is the best and ultimate judge.
Anil, India
Tony, George and John all said, prior to the "war" that it would be quick and swift, well, so much for the quick and let's forget the swift - what they have done is to alienate the entire Arab World. And for Mr Hoon to blame the media for the "quick war" is indicative of how quickly politicians run for cover. He should be shown pre-war footage of what was said prior to the commencement of operations.
Col Willett, Australia
I note that Colin Powel is telling Syria "It is not too late" Where did we hear this before?
Jim, Scotland
The US/UK forces will adjust to each new challenge in this war |
Coalition tactics are working just fine. The US/UK forces will adjust to each new challenge in this war. As far as the Iraqi people showing great resolve and resistance to the coalition, that's what one does, with a gun pointed to your head.
Bob Cook, USA All I hear from the protesters around the world is war is wrong. Of course it is, but this time it is necessary. All I can hear from protesters in the US is: "I voted for Gore and I don't like Bush", although he's right.
Eduardo Mart�nez, Monterrey, Mexico
One thing people forget is the troops. I admire the British troops as well as the Australian and my own American troops. They are all doing an outstanding job. They are treating the POW's with dignity as well as the Iraqi people. I commend them all.
Barbara, USA
The US's strong-arm tactics are greatly at odds with the UK troops' approach |
Trouble is, the 'coalition' is actually fighting two different wars. On the one side, we have the US who seem to be responsible for many of the British troop deaths and who talk of 'Hammer-Time' when it comes to 'liberating' Iraqis. Their strong-arm tactics are greatly at odds with the UK troops' approach. Perhaps this is why one fired upon UK soldier called his US attacker "a cowboy out on a jolly".
Carrie, UK Bush and Blair should be careful about whatever they do because the result of their bad behaviour will affect generations to come.
Hil, Ghana
The whole basis of the war is out of the window. Is it worth getting many Americans, British and Iraqis killed? Life is a precious thing and we must save it. It is the time now to leave Iraq and bring our boys and girls back home to their loved ones. This war must stop now.
Asif, UK
To expect the war to be over in a few days is unrealistic |
The tactics are just fine. To expect the war to be over in a few days is unrealistic. The hard line Saddam supporters must resist as their leaders will probably be charged (rightly) with war crimes. A popular uprising will not occur until the Iraqi people are certain that Saddam is incapable of taking revenge on them as he did 12 years ago.
Paul, Texas, USA What I can't understand is why the coalition is trying to stop television broadcasting in Iraq when surely the answer is for us to broadcast the truth to the Iraqi people. They say Saddam is using portable transmitters, if he is then that means we can. Surely with our technology we can transmit to Iraqis what we are seeing. This way there might be a chance of an uprising.
John Coppell, England
If the coalition's aim was to destroy an entire country, murder innocent people, and unite the Arab world against it; then I would think they have succeeded. If the coalition wanted to protect us from Saddam's weapons of mass destruction, well, we knew there wasn't much to be found before the bombing started.
Jovan, Canada
This war could effectively last 10 or 20 years |
The longer this war goes on, with increasing numbers of civilian deaths and damage to homes and property, the harder it will be to convince the Iraqi people that the coalition is there to liberate them. If they are not convinced then there is certain to be a backlash against the USA and Britain - this war could effectively last 10 or 20 years!
Nigel, Liverpool, UK The coalition is waiting for the Republican Guard to go out into the desert so they can slaughter them. The Iraqis are not stupid. They will hang on in Baghdad waiting for the eventual hand to hand battle that will be a bloodbath on both sides.
J Bray, USA
The Bush Administration is biting off more than it can chew. It is unrealistic and naive for them to believe that invading countries is a solution to the problem of WMD proliferation. The world needs a more powerful cooperative governing body that can bring about positive change in the world's trouble spots.
Paul, USA
It isn't the strategy of the coalition that should be questioned. They have assembled a massive force thousands of miles away and in little over a week, with minimum casualties, are banging on the doors of Baghdad. One of the key factors in any strategy is time and Mr. Hussein is nearly out of that.
John, UK
The coalition still expects the Iraqis to have an uprising and depose Saddam. They have failed to take into account that during the first Gulf War the Iraqis had uprisings against the regime but were left to fend for themselves after the coaliton pulled out, allowing Saddam to get rid of all those who dared revolt. Do they think Iraqis will trust the coalition now after being betrayed by them once before?
Alexandra, Beirut, Lebanon
The one thing that does appear to be working quite well is the spin that the US media is using to sell this war to the American people.
Pam, USA
I wonder how many people criticising coalition tactics actually have any idea about army warfare? Let's be honest, the coalition can't really win the arugment; if they carpet bombed Iraq, winning the war in a day, but killing hundreds / thousands of civilians, they would have been slammed. As it stands, they're using careful tactics to avoid civilians casualties, hence taking longer to win the war - but hey, guess what, they're being slammed!
Ross, UK
I agree with the case for war as laid out by Blair/Bush and I am fully supportive of our troops. Saddam must go and it's better late than never. I feel let down by military commanders. Their judgement and assessment of the situation has been seriously flawed on several occasions during this short conflict and this will no doubt continue to be the case. Hearing them complaining of "ungentlemanly" tactics employed by the Iraqis angers me. Faced with an overwhelmingly superior military force, what other possible course of action could they take? If the UK were being invaded by a foreign army of equivalent proportions, I would certainly have no compunction in employing asymmetric tactics if my very existence depended on it. How could the war planners possibly have been so naive? It looks to me that the greatest threat to our forces at this time is from incompetence in the chain of command.
Wayne, England
The Bush administration set unrealistic expectations |
The military is adjusting its tactics to deal with the situation. Its tactics will eventually work; Iraq will be defeated militarily. However, if "War is not an independent phenomenon but the continuation of politics by different means," then it really won't matter. The Bush administration set unrealistic expectations; the fact that there is relatively stiff resistance and not wholesale surrender represents a failure of the administration's policy. Decisions in the next week will be crucial for the Republicans in regard to the next election.
Chuck, USA The Iraqi resistance has "shocked and awed" the coalition. Frustration and anger is clear on the faces of its leadership. How do they now justify to their people this war of "Iraqi freedom" is not a farce, when an overwhelming majority of the population they had thought of liberating is against them? I believe extraordinary lies and rumours are being spread daily to discredit the struggle of the Iraqi people and keep the domestic public's sympathy for the war. I wonder how long would they be able to fool their own populations?
Nadeem Mashood, UAE
The US and Britain are both failing the public relations war |
The US and Britain are both failing the public relations war. It is sad that Saddam is gaining more supporters as the war progresses. In the end, the public relations loss may have more severe consequences than those of leaving Saddam in power.
Andrew, USA I might be biased as an American, but does anyone seriously think this invasion could possibly fail? There is no similarity to Vietnam, a war with no clear objectives and fought in dense jungles. The only place for the Iraqi troops to hide is within the cities. They can hide, but they cannot run, and that makes them sitting ducks.
Scott Kangas, USA
There was the story of a hunter who turned loose his dog to hunt down a rabbit. The rabbit luckily ran away and the hunter blamed his dog for the failure. The dog tells his master: "Master, the rabbit was running for his life while I was running to please you." Maybe the generals should read elementary stories to understand that when it comes to one's country, no war tactic or strategy will work. How can you determine the resolve of the people? Do you have a formula for that?
Caren, Iran
I am Iranian and we had a long war with Iraq and we hate Saddam. He is our enemy, but I think I would do the same as the Iraqi people are doing now to protect my country.
K Purkashian, Iran
The real test of US strategy will be after the war. There may have been some setbacks but I have a hard time seeing how the US can fail to defeat a weak country like Iraq. The reason it is taking so long is that the US has no intention of inflicting massive casualties, otherwise it could probably do the job in a day.
Chris Cormier, Canada
They should take their gloves off and get this thing done quickly |
Get serious. This war would have been over in five minutes if the coalition wasn't trying to harm as few civilians as possible. Give them some credit, they are taking casualties they would otherwise not have had. They should take their gloves off and get this thing done quickly.
Mark, USA It's far too early to cast a verdict on the operation. The way some people are talking you'd think that the war should be over by now. This war is a massive undertaking. Toppling the current regime and restoring stability to the region will take a long time. I'd rather the coalition take their time and continue to be cautious and precise rather than acting quickly and recklessly.
Shanda Barker, USA
I think the US force's strategy has failed and now the coalition will be forced to use weapons of mass destruction.
Imran, Canada
The coalition is failing to win over the hearts and minds of the Iraqi civilians caught up in this conflict. We should have taken over a TV station by now and provided the populations of the cities we are invading/liberating with large projector-style TV screens placed at every open space in town. We need to make it clear why we are there and what kind of future the Iraqi people could expect living in a new democracy. All these people are seeing at the moment is men with guns on the ground and American Tomahawk missiles in the sky. We should be recruiting advertising and media specialists and treating Iraqi's as potential consumers of the western way of life.
Paul Winnard, Sydney, Australia
I do not know whether to laugh or to pity the cerebral capacity of Paul Winnard, Sydney, Australia, on his comment of taking out Iraqi TV stations and putting large projector TV's in town hall squares with a media managed campaign to teach Iraqi people civilised life! Perhaps you could also arrange for some popcorn and invite the war ravaged, helpless civilians for a sit in western cowboy movie. this will be a good start in bringing the western lifestyle to the cradle of human civilization!
On the question of coalition tactics : they will win this war eventually and even succeed in bringing democracy to Iraq. But it will always be democracy on the wings of a B-52 and Tomahawk missles.
Prashant Kacherikar, Bangalore, India
They would have won the war but lost the peace |
The Iraqis will tell the Americans that they are not welcome after this war is over. If the Americans decide to reap the reward of their victory by imposing a puppet pro-American government, they will definitely be met with stiff Iraqi resistance and even armed struggle. They would have won the war but lost the peace.
Phillip, Bahrain I think the strategy has exceeded their objectives so far. Of course they are flexible, as already displayed in starting the war early, hoping to destroy Hussein and his minions sparing all of us this war. The real test of Baghdad will depend on Hussein - will he use his weapons of mass destruction that he "doesn't have?"
Lorraine Wilder, USA
The Americans underestimated Iraqi resolve to fight against what they perceive as an invasion of their country. After decades of air-strikes, humiliation, sanctions and depravation brought upon them by the US and its allies, the Iraqi people are now firmly resolved to fight for their freedom. It will be a bloodbath and the US will not win this war.
Jovan, Australia
I think the US forces should have been more cautious, instead of rushing headlong towards Baghdad, they should have secured more of a beach head around Basra. Now it has been left to the British to sort out the situation in the south.
Darren, England
Yes it is working, very well in fact. Did Saddam destroy his oil fields? No. Has the Iraqi air force fought off the coalition? No. Has the Iraqi army been able to stop the Americans from making it to Baghdad? No. Have millions of refugees fled Iraq? No. Has Saddam kept the coalition from doing anything they have wanted to do? No. Has the coalition shown they are extremely disciplined in the use of force? Yes. Let's not be too hard on Bush and Blair, they are doing a great job. Yet no-one should think this is going to be easy.
Brian, USA
The coalition's tactics are like a bull in a china shop |
The coalition's tactics are like a bull in a china shop. They rely on their superior fire power and some silly assumptions like the Iraqi people will help them in occupying the cities.
Azim Khan, Pakistan Bush and Blair have made the biggest mistake by underestimating the loyalty of the Iraqis to their country. They are not fighting for Saddam, they are fighting for their land. They are not loyal to the regime, they are loyal to their nationality. They will never greet the US military with flowers, they will unite and fight off the invading army until their last breath. They are a brave, strong, proud and very dignified nation. This is what the coalition will never understand.
Sinan, UK
Coalition plans were based on a best-case scenario. The result is they are now undermanned, with supply lines overstretched and underprotected, while frontline troops face exhaustion. Politically correct tactical constraints mean that troops are fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. The politicians who hoped for a brief and tidy war are placing limitations on the way the coalition operates, extending its duration and sustaining the number of coalition casualties.
Christopher Hunter, England
The coalition should not be on a timetable established by the media! |
Yes. This is war; the coalition should not be on a timetable established by the media! Even God took seven days to create earth.
Dolores Fabian, US Most Iraqis expect to get the same treatment as the Palestinians get from Sharon, and why should they believe otherwise? And what will the US do if the Iraqi people remain overwhelmingly hostile, even after Saddam is removed? Baghdad could make 1980s Beirut seem like a paradise.
Jon E, France
I am surprised that people think this campaign is failing. The forces are attacking prepared positions on routes that are limited and predictable. The few times the Iraqis have fought, they have been wiped out. No army can defend effectively against guerrilla attacks against supply routes though. I would commend US and UK leadership on not taking the easy option of bombing Iraq back to the stone age!
Steven, UK
What I am seeing in Iraq now is worse than what I saw during the first Gulf war. I believe the Americans are going to win. I am sorry for Baghdad.
Obiora Ezeifedi, Nigeria
It is amazing that the many media outlets are portraying the coalition as bogged down due to the "fierce Iraqi resistance". Fedeyeen hiding behind women and children is not a sign of fierce resistance, it is a sign of cowardice, utter brutality and ultimate despair of the regime that will stop at nothing to protect its power base.
Ivan, Moscow, Russia
Iraqis don't want aliens to interfere in their domestic issues no matter what. Would we? We would fight against invaders for every house, every street, every city, no matter who our leader is. Thinking Iraqis are different was a huge blunder. They don't want us. Now what do we do? We "liberate" them until they are all dead, or we move out? Let our leaders' egos come after our moral values.
JP Denes, Houston Tx, USA
Those who oppose the war are not speaking in the name of the Iraqis Ashraf Alnajjar, Washington DC, US |
To all the naive people thinking that Iraqi civilians are fighting, stop dreaming. It's the Baath loyalist, the terrorists called Fedyaeen Saddam, and the Republican Guard. For once, I will ask those who oppose the war, you are not speaking in the name of the Iraqis. At least the US and UK are doing something good. It's not like there are polls allowed in Iraq to show Iraqis support for the allies.
Ashraf Alnajjar, Washington DC, US I'm afraid that they are not working. The concern with this administration is that if they are losing they will use nuclear weapons.
Chad, US
It's been over a week, so its' too early to tell. Also, when a gun is pointed at your family, it leaves no choice in the matter.
Justin, USA
Remember how this started with attacks at a location where they thought Saddam was. The plan changed and the whole event started earlier than the generals wanted, with not quite everyone in place. War tactics always have to be flexible and a bad start may not necessarily lead to failure.
Chris, US
Manifestly no: all this so-called war of liberation has done is to liberate too many people of their lives. How much longer will it take for sense to prevail?
Mark Horner, UK
Obviously the coalition's strategy did not work; if it worked why do they need more troops to support the troops trying to reach Baghdad for more than eight days? After all Baghdad is real test to the coalition's strategy.
Ali Abshir, Toronto, Canada
There hasn't been any improvement since the war started Sebastian Boadi-Benoah, Ghana |
There hasn't been any improvement since the war started and this shows how the coalition is slowly falling on their strategy. I strongly believe that if there is to be any improvement, the coalition must change their strategy.
Sebastian Boadi-Benoah, Ghana For anyone to say that this has become a quagmire is false. Nine days into a war hardly constitutes being bogged down. Likewise anyone who believed this war would be a one week picnic while Saddam and his loyalists just rolled over is also deluded. The US and UK may be winning the ground war but they are losing the PR war.
Land, US
The coalition's strategy does not seem to be working. If they end up fighting an urban war there will be many casualties. If this ends up being the case then they should use Russian tactics and completely flatten the towns and cities like in Chechnya.
Ian, UK
The reports in the media paint a grossly inaccurate picture of doom and gloom. For example, the column of a thousand tanks that was reported to be coming out of Baghdad was according to military authorities about a hundred Toyota pickup trucks with machine guns who haven't got a prayer. There has been no effective resistance so far.
Mark, USA
The only people that are "shocked and awed" are the US war planners |
The only people that are "shocked and awed" are the US war planners. My hats off to Iraqi civilians who have strength enough to stand against total destruction planned by US invasion, for its own corporate gains. I see peace only when US forces admit their blunder and leave Iraq.
Asif, Pakistan I have a 100% confidence for the coalition. It has the best operational control and command and the military strategists. I hope the people in Iraq are liberated soon!
Rijad, Sweden
Correct me if I'm wrong but the only war the Americans have ever won was their own civil war.
Ben Mills, UK
I'd like to take Ben Mills up on his invitation to correct him. The US is generally considered to have emerged as victors in the 1st Gulf war (with some good help), WWII, WWI, the Mexican war, War for Texas, the Spanish-American War, any number of smaller conflicts - Panama, Grenada, etc. Also, you might ask the South Koreans how we did there. Of special interest to you, given your address, Ben, might be our victories in the War for Independence and the War of 1812.
Josh, US
The coalition strategy has not worked as well as might be expected. New war techniques are not always better and they should not mean that proven tactics be ignored. Perhaps it is time for a good hard look and the famous "flexibility" that has been so loudly touted.
Catherine Poulos, USA
I am an Iraqi, stop invading our country; we will fight you even after war is over, FOREVER.
Omar, Jordan
It's amazing that the US administration is so upset about men in civilian clothes shooting at the troops. After all irregular troops helped win the US' independence.
Homer, USA
The prosecution of 'total war' against Iraqis may result in a military victory without any laurels or spoils Anthony Martin, Talkeetna, Alaska |
The coalition's strategy was promoted on the premise of a popular uprising against Saddam. Where is it? In the absence of that uprising, the prosecution of 'total war' against the Iraqi people may result in a military victory without any laurels or spoils.
Anthony Martin, Talkeetna, Alaska Basra is undoubtedly on the verge of a civil uprising. Aid is starting to come in through Umm Qasr. The coalition is knocking on the door of Baghdad. How long do you think the regime will hold onto the capital when its suppressed population learns of the soon to be free Iraqis in the south? Now you tell me - is the coalition's strategy working?
Damian, UK
The Iraqis are not the Taleban. The US and UK have to win on the ground. And Saddam has learnt a lot from the 1991 Gulf war. Ultimately, the Americans and British will win, but the cost will be bloody and permanent as far as the Arab world is concerned.
Arijit, India
It is an absolute shame that the tax-payers' hard-earned money is being used to kill civilians in distant lands. The bullets have our names on them!!
Ritu, UK
There is no question that eventually coalition forces will take Baghdad. However the time and the lives it will take will weigh heavily on Islamic and Arab opinion. I still think time is running against the coalition, and they should try to take Baghdad ASAP.
Frederic Lagoan�re, France
It is not important if the tactics are working, the strategy is a failure! This whole conflict relied on the cooperation of the Iraqi people, and it is clear that it is not being given. What's more is that with each day, resentment will grow as bombs fall and Iraqi soldiers die. I fear that all we will liberate is Iraqi nationalism and resentment.
Peter, USA
I think that the level of Iraqi resistance has surprised many |
I think that given the huge advantage the Allies have in terms of equipment it will mean that they will eventually succeed. However, I think the level of Iraqi resistance has surprised many and I feel that if the Iraqis draw the coalition into an urban war in Baghdad, there could be many casualties and the conflict could last a lot longer than Bush and Blair could ever have anticipated.
Steve, UK Imagine how strong Saddam will be if he survives this. Even if he does not, his status has surely already been elevated, and the US status lowered in the eyes of much of the world. Does this make the world safer?
Mike R, USA
Whether the tactics are going to plan or not is difficult to say. It would seem that a 75% success could be assumed to be going to plan. Wars are always unpredictable; but with modern technology they are becoming more predictable - the outcome is clear.
Robert, USA
Even if they do not want civilians to be killed the coalition has created a hell for millions of Iraqi people? Do they expect to receive flowers from the people even if they hate Saddam?
Mike, Canada
The allies don't understand the Middle East's mentality |
The allies don't seem to understand the Middle East's mentality. Their vision is shrouded with short term gains. This war could have been avoided easily. It started for the wrong reasons. They should start thinking about the aftermath of this war.
Tanya, Morocco I think history is repeated once more. The current war seems to be similar, if not the same, with the war in the Vietnam in 1960s. And despite what most of the Americans continue to believe concerning the outcome of the war, I think the rest of the world knows who was the defeated one. Concerning the current war in Iraq I leave it to you to decide who is going to be the defeated one once more.
Louis Pasteur, Germany
The action of the US and Britain has undermined the authority of the UN. It will not be an easy war/victory in Iraq. The US bombed even graveyards in Afghanistan in order to get Osama bin Laden but to no avail. The memory of Vietnam is still fresh in our mind. It is time the US/British leaders have a rethink and withdraw from Iraq so that they would not dig their own graves in Baghdad.
Chukwuka Obioma, Nigeria
The coalition is trying to move a bit too fast |
The coalition is trying to move a bit too fast. They need to work on securing the coastline and setting up a "Free Iraq" there. They can easily bring in supplies to the coast. Then they should shift out this area a city at a time, until they eventually have freed the lot.
Russ, UK The coalition tactics have worked. Iraq's leaders are using desperate measures to stay in power. Even asking this as a serious question is ridiculous!
Brian, USA
I think they have worked so far, but that was a foregone conclusion because of the disparity in the quality of equipment. However, I think there was a belief that the Iraqis would capitulate. They haven't and now it's going to get messy because the close confines of a city will cancel the effect of all that hi-tech gear.
Matt, UK
The coalition would have won this war within a week if they did not have to be so precise with their bombing of Baghdad and other cities because no one wants civilians casualties. But before Russia complain too much how many civilians were killed in Chechnya when they invaded not so long ago.
Wee Bruce, UK
They were simply hopes and not expectations |
I think the effort has been going as planned. While there were hopes for a quick surrender, they were simply hopes and not expectations. The media in general should let the professionals do their jobs and stop questioning every tactic.
Peter Rollins, US Yes, the tactics have worked and they will continue to work. No war is bloodless. There will be casualties on both sides. What is now clearer than ever is that Saddam will take the life of every Iraqi citizen if he has to, in order to hold onto power. He doesn't see his fellow Iraqis as human beings and he certainly doesn't treat them as such. How can the world turn their backs on the Iraqis and allow Saddam to continue to do this to Iraq?
Evan, USA
It has been said repeatedly that the war is going according to plan but we don't know "how long it will take." This is an indication that the coalition's tactics are not working according to their plans. The coalition forces have been able to take the control of one town only and, though they are deep inside the Iraq, this is the area where the coalition forces have been maintaining a no fly zone and targeting the Iraqis well before the actual war was declared.
Naveed, Pakistan/Canada
The Iraqis have done a brilliant job strategically so far. They have learnt well from the first Gulf war; mainly avoided head to head confrontation, stretched the coalition's supply lines, held them up at strategic points and started the inevitable guerrilla war behind the lines. Add to that the coalition's failure to make headway in the propaganda war, a lack of any sign of uprisings and we are potentially looking at Vietnam - the US nightmare. And how do we think we are going to take Baghdad if we can't even take some of the small southern towns?
Richard Fitt, England
It is now almost confirmed that the coalition's tactics did not work and in future more failure is waiting for them. It was a great mistake for the coalition, but the blunder is till to come in their economy soon, when the war opposing front will boycott their goods.
Delwar, Bangladesh
It is too early into this conflict to say whether the tactics are working or not. Any coherent military leader knows this, and this is what our leaders have been trying to tell the public but they won't listen. Sure, the fight is a little more difficult than expected since the Iraqi people have not fully joined in revolt. The people are unsure of the outcome. They do not trust us Americans because of unfinished business. The civilians support liberation of their country at the purest level. They welcome our help as a whole. Only those who have never seen better support Saddam and his ways. I wonder if all the protesters would support Hitler if he were up to his old tricks today. God bless America, and may Jesus be with our troops!
Troy, USA
It's evident that the coalition tactics have not worked. Now they find themselves well past the point of no return. Tactics will take a bloodier course soon. Liberators will become conquerors. Face-saving tactics for the politicians involved will be the priority.
R Mohan, India
Iraqi troops are being very clever with their strategic battle thoughts |
Currently US and British troops seemed to be blinded from the fact that Iraqi troops are being very clever with their strategic battle thoughts on the battlefield, something which the US and British have to overcome very quickly or we will see heavy losses on both British and US sides, believe me; I know what's coming.
Mark, England I think the US and UK expected the Iraqi army to surrender immediately and welcome their "liberators" with open arms. Instead we are horrified to find the Iraqis have the temerity to defend their country against invasion. Whether they support Saddam or not, they clearly will not bow to this unwelcome armed intrusion. So the short, swift war we were promised is escalated, with thousands more troops shipped in, and resistance by the defenders as stiff as ever. Echoes of Vietnam?
Steve, UK
The dirty tactics employed by the so-called allied forces didn't work and I hope they do not work in future. They used all sorts of lies and distortions to fool the world that Iraqis were surrendering in large numbers, Saddam has lost control, people are welcoming them with cheers etc. But thank God, their lies were effectively exposed by some TV channels and reporters on ground. The precision bombs dropped by them have hit shopping malls, residential apartments etc with precision, and some of them have even gone as far as Syria and Iran. If USA and UK think that they can win this war with propaganda and lies, they are totally incorrect.
Naveen, India
No one wanted to believe anyone in Iraq would stand up to the American and British forces, this is ego getting in the way of reality. We cannot assume to speak of Iraqi ideals from our pedestals outside the war zone, this will be a long fight and a long occupation. It seems hard to imagine how we can justify any civilian deaths as a process of liberation, America is gifted at allowing the economically poor to become martyrs in their global campaigns.
Nate, USA
They have made astonishing progress with minimal casualties and minimal impact on civilians |
If you step back and look at the amount accomplished by the coalition in just a few short days I think they have made astonishing progress in a week with minimal casualties and minimal impact on Iraqi civilians. But tough decisions lie ahead given Iraq's guerrilla tactics and intimidation of its own people. It's either got to be bloody street warfare or bomb the hell out of the cities and inflict a lot of collateral damage. My vote is for the latter.
Adrian Ball, UK
The world was led to believe in the righteousness of this war, and the planners misunderstood the power of nationalism of the Iraqi people. Moreover, the fact that this war is regarded by most of the world as illegitimate has caused the Iraqis to fight harder. They may lose the war, but they have already won a moral victory.
Anon, Cameroon/USA
I would have thought the Americans would have learnt their lessons from Vietnam, Cambodia, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia. Underestimating the difference between cultures and brushing off nationalist sentiments can be very dangerous.
John Azzopardi, Malta
In my opinion the coalition forces started believing their own propaganda. "The Iraqi people will know in their hearts who liberated them!" A quote from Bush. The US Government have a too simple view on other cultures and their behaviour. This is more severe then underestimating a country...
Martin, Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Generals are no fools. Iraq's recent counter-strikes are a sign of despair and gross incompetence. They do delay the war progress as far as miles are concerned. However, if you take into account how casualty rates of Iraqis and the coalition forces relate to each other, you will clearly see the war is going all right. Without these counter-strikes, the coalition forces would already encircled Baghdad, and all Iraqi troops would be engaged in street battles.
Valentin Strasser, Ukraine
I believe the most successful plans are born from strategies which allow for adjustments. We can only hope and pray casualties are very low, the Iraqi people will be freed by the Saddam regime and we find the WMD before somebody else.
Vicki Ronan, USA
We now need the guts to stick it out |
Well, the US and Britain certainly underestimated the resistance especially along supply lines. However, the war has gone very well with one of the most rapid military advances in history and insignificant allied casualties. We now need to have the guts to stick it out; city fighting was always going to be bloody and to be expected in country like Iraq. But to go to war against a country the size of Iraq without expecting several thousand casualties is a nonsense.
Mark Warner, Britain I have always thought a quick war was about three months, but the way other people are saying they expect it to of been over and done within a week?
Chris, England
No plan is ever perfect and the war has been delayed by trying to reduce civilian casualties, but without doubt the progress in seven days is remarkable when compared to the loss of life on both sides.
Stuart Binnie, UK
As an ex-officer, I find it incredulous that troops were told to expect little or no resistance. Military history is full of such folly, and has usually lead to a bloody conflict. This attitude has filtered into the US military planners, not running war game scenarios which involve the Iraqi forces using hit and run tactics and hiding forces in the civilian population. These are not 'new' and have been adopted worldwide by forces who face superior opposition. It seems a series of elementary mistakes have been made in underestimating the Iraqi forces and the military strategy it is using.
David, UK
I am dismayed at the puppet-like role UK is playing instead of a stronger, mature role it could have played. History has taught us that it is better to let evil governments run their own countries rather than destroy their culture by colonising them.
Aki, Japan
Americans seem surprised when Iraqi civilians don't greet them with flowers and cuddles |
Bush's tactics are based on wishful thinking. He speaks of encircling Baghdad until "anti-Saddam uprisings" force Hussein out. Well, where are these anti-Saddam forces? Americans seem surprised when Iraqi civilians don't greet them with flowers and cuddles. I suspect that, as a percentage of the population, more Americans wish for a regime change in Washington than there are Iraqis who wish for one in Baghdad.
David Nicol, Hong Kong The tactics are working, given that any military plan is just that, a plan. Tactically, the Iraqis are fighting harder than in the last Gulf war, they will ultimately be worn down by lack of supplies, manpower and fighting a hugely better supplied and more numerous enemy. The Kurds also have yet to enter the war and when they do it will be decisive.
Mike, England
No! But they cannot stop now. The Anglo-American forces need to press on with what they are doing, and liberate Iraq, or else it will be another Vietnam!!
Ed, Lebanon
What strategy? The UK forces have more to fear from the bullets of trigger-happy Americans than they do from the Iraqis. The Americans are far from the ultra-professional force they think they are.
Jim Butler, UK
People in Britain have no idea what its like not to have simple freedom because it is not run under a medieval regime. You cannot have war without casualties, but is a small price to pay if it means restoring Iraq to the country it deserves to be and people can live with dignity and without fear.
Vicky McLoughlin, England
The US and UK have been shocked and awed |
The US and UK have been shocked and awed. Never be arrogant and underestimate your enemy. Today Iraq is more united than before - a Stalingrad awaits the US and UK troops.
Mehernosh, India I think it has. The main objective of this war is to keep Occidental public opinion quiet, which is working, and to bring civil disorder across the Middle East, which is on its way to working.
Matthos, Rennes, France
Initially I expected the defeat of the US (the UK would have dropped out by then) in six years. Now I am not even sure that the invaders will be able to sustain their losses in lives and credibility for six months. The idiocy of this war is mind boggling.
Ronald Vopel, Belgium
The Iraqi people do not desire to be ruled by Saddam but they do not want to be "liberated" by the Americans either. This is not understood by the American government. They need to be more pragmatic and encourage local uprisings and only attack Iraqi positions in defence of the local population as is happening in Basra.
Patrick, England
It would be much better for the forces to consolidate in the southern areas of Iraq first |
I am only 17, but it appears that although the forces have made significant land gains, it would be much better for them to consolidate in the southern areas of Iraq first. The supply lines are too stretched out and supply convoys will continue to be attacked. We need to make sure the forces around Baghdad are not cut off from support because if that happens we are going to see not several dead, but hundreds of dead American and British soldiers every day. The situation is currently too fluid, we must use a more forceful presence to solidify the situation.
Thomas Rogan, UK The coalition made some mistakes of judgement: one, Iraq had plenty of time to prepare for this war as the election of GW Bush must have rung the bell. Two, attacking Iraq on its soil is not the same as freeing an occupied country like Kuwait. USA and UK are now seen as "invaders" which perception certainly boosts the motivation of Iraqi soldiers even though they might as well disagree with Saddam Hussein.
Xavier, France
Obviously the Iraqis hate America more than they hate Saddam.
Hani, Lebanon
This could be a very long war with no conclusive result at the end |
Obviously not. The US assumed this war was going to be a pushover. Wouldn't any of us defend our homeland against such an invasion? The Iraqis hate Saddam Hussein, but that does not mean they love Bush. The real test will come when Baghdad is 'liberated'. Will the US public put up with US troops being picked off by snipers? I think this could be a very long war, with no conclusive result at the end.
Carolyn Little, UK The war should go ahead as planed and I hope the soldiers in Iraq can be safe. My heart is with them all. God bless them.
Karl Godwin, England
The allies were absolutely insane to think they could waltz into Iraq, a country of 30 million people, and take out their leader without a struggle. I don't understand where President Bush and PM Blair got their information but the basic assumptions on which they based their strategy seem ridiculous. Going forward, sending further troops is a very clear sign that they got the strategy wrong and if they are going to see this war through to completion then they are going to have to kill many thousands of Iraqis as well as suffering the loss of many lives on our side.
Antony Berou, England
The coalition�s tactics did not work in Afghanistan - key objectives such as catching Bin Laden and liberating the country have not been achieved. The UN only controls Kabul, American troops are protected in secure military camps, and security outside Kabul is limited. So, why should we believe the coalition tactics in Iraq will be any more successful.
Neil, Brazil
The weaker party has the better motivation and mental power than the aggressors |
What happens very often in an unjust war, that US should know better from their own experiences, is that the apparently weaker party has the better motivation and mental power than the aggressors. The US and UK never really studied what they were doing or took advise from lounge diplomats, not those who might have understood the people. No doubt they will win at the end but it certainly will be an empty victory and as such what US/UK deserve, if even that.
Mikko Toivonen, Finland The strategy was wrong and they need to adjust it on the go. Maybe this whole thing is a big mistake but at the end of the day I cannot help but think: 'Thank God the US is the superpower and not somebody else.'
Val, Canada
Just wait until the aggressors reach Baghdad. Then you will see the real war start.
Peter, London, UK
No, they haven't, that's why they are having to send in more troops (and this may not be all). America has never fought a war for its sovereignty on its own soil and has very little idea of the realities of such a war. The people of Iraq have every right to defend themselves, even against their so called liberators and they will make the coalition's mission as difficult as possible. As the fighting intensifies, the number of civilian casualties and 'friendly fire' casualties will increase. Too many will die, and that was not the plan!
Francine Last, UK
To not prepare your troops for the worst case scenario is negligent beyond words |
I listened to comments made by injured American troops in hospital. They expressed surprise at the resistance put up - they had been told to expect none and that the enemy would 'roll over'. They seemed perplexed, as they thought that the Iraqis should be welcoming them as 'liberators'. What kind of tactics are these? To not prepare your troops for the worst case scenario is negligent beyond words. Too few troops were sent and this all smacks of arrogance, overconfidence and a massive misjudgement of Iraqis. Many probably will see the coalition forces as liberators; but many obviously see them as invaders, and will fight for their country, not Saddam. I feel the troops have been hugely let down by their political masters who are quite clearly incompetent to run a war.
Jeremy, UK
Baghdad has five possible outcomes. Paris, Stalingrad, Beirut, Sarajevo or Grozny. We would hope for Paris, Sarajevo or Beirut. But we will probably get Stalingrad or Grozny.
Vig, UK
Everything is backfiring for the coalition, even their tanks! The coalition forgot the wise words of Churchill - never underestimate your opposition. They wouldn't go to war if they didn't think they had a chance of winning.
Alex, UK
The bravery and resolve of the Iraqi people is astounding. Their chances for victory are next to nil, yet they are ready to give their lives for their country's independence. Let nobody be fooled, this is not a war against Saddam; this is an invasion of Iraq and its people. When we say that we have met "stiffer resistance than expected" what we mean is that the people have joined in the fight against us.
Sham Cawston, USA
I'm afraid the talk of a quick war with minimum casualties was simply a politician's ploy to soften opposition.
Everyone knows that in war there are no certainties; it is a bloody, brutal, savagely horrible business which we should have tried harder and longer to avoid.
Nick, UK
You can drop as many high-tech, high-powered bombs as you like, but at the end of the day you cannot over come the resistance of the people Conor McLaughlin, Ireland |
Quite simply, NO!
You can drop as many high-tech, high-powered bombs as you like, but at the end of the day you cannot over come the resistance of the people. America and Britain need to understand that the will of people will always out way the power of a bomb. A bomb can also strengthen the will of a people, and that is what we are seeing now in Iraq. The US thought they could win the war from the air, they can't! They now plan an extra 120,000 troops to cover up there mistake of not taking the Iraqi people serious, saying it was always in the plan to do so. It shows just how inapt the American political system is, power has gone to their heads.
Conor McLaughlin, Ireland
You should be highlighting the horrors of war instead of soliciting opinion on strategy and tactics employed. However one may feel about the reasons for this war, let's not forget it is not a boardgame.
Edwin, India
Although we know that setting trenches of oil on fire isn't going to impact the accuracy of D-GPS guided missiles, it most definitely obscures satellite imagery. On the basis that targeting originates from these images, is it not possible that the market place strike may have been made in error for this very reason? Were those in command looking at legacy images assuming the market place was something else? It has certainly bolstered Saddam's stakes in the propaganda war, maybe this was the desired effect?
Richard Mason, Colchester, UK
Battles in key cities and towns are only a measuring stick. Baghdad will be the mother of all battles.
ML, Malaysia
Coalition tactics have not worked as expected. The Iraqi forces have given surprisingly stiff resistance. Ultimately, coalition forces will prevail because of technological superiority but at a cost both in terms of men and material.
Ashok Bhasin, India
The extraordinary military campaign being waged in Iraq has met virtually no effective organised resistance. In about a week, despite bad weather, the coalition controls half the country, all usable airfields, the port, most roads to Baghdad with all bridges in tact. The so-called defenders will be degraded until they are just a nuisance.
Mark, USA
I do not think they were so naive to assume that the war would be a walk in the park |
I do not think that they were so naive to assume that the war would be a walk in the park. My worry is about what kind of proper training the forces have had in street-by-street fighting. The British forces' closest experience of this is probably Northern Ireland, where they had to win over the trust of the people in an area of great hostility toward them. I just hope that it doesn't become a bloodbath and that the attacks are swift and precise.
Laura, Wiltshire, UK No I don't think they have. The world has seen the propaganda, the lack of a just cause and the smug way that Bush keeps talking about the victims of war.
Brett, USA
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