Dec 01 2007
The Nuts And Bolts Of Succeeding In Iraq
A lesson is being taught in the neighborhoods of Iraq. It is a lesson how how the US can expose its true nature to those swamped with propaganda about how evil we are. It is a lesson on how to fight terrorism and insurgents. And it is a lesson to the government of Iraq in Baghdad on how to succeed into the future:
Q: You’ve gotten to know our enemies pretty well – what are their strengths and weaknesses?
A: Initially, the enemy’s greatest strength was the ability to hide in plain sight – by co-opting or intimidating the people. We turned the tables. People in our area are now pointing out insurgents who did their deeds one or two years ago. They can hide from us, but not from their neighbors.
The enemy’s greatest remaining strength is the central government’s slow pace, measured against the impending US troop draw-down. If the people get discouraged, they’ll turn elsewhere.
Q: This has been a learn-as-you-go fight. Can you identify three key counterinsurgency decisions you and your subordinates made this past year?
A: We’ve been on the ground 24/7 in the neighborhoods, not just holed up in an outpost. We also have an ongoing operation, Close Encounters, in which platoon leaders and NCOs literally go into living rooms and kitchens to sit down with people and get to know them, house by house. We learned about their concerns and broke down misconceptions about American soldiers. We not only found people who were willing to talk about the insurgents in their neighborhood, we also found doctors, businessmen and others with the skills essential to rebuild the area.
We aggressively emplaced walls to restrict the insurgents’ ability to move, while providing physical protection to vulnerable people on the outskirts of dangerous areas.
If you’ll allow me a fourth – we handed out small business grants. This was huge. It quickly produced tangible results. People here believe what they see. If they see businesses open, full streets and US soldiers on patrol, then it must be normal and safe.
Sorry – there’s a fifth, as well: We embraced the Sunni turn against the insurgents.
The US military has done an outstanding job of presenting the best America and Americans have to offer, instilling hope and security, and in helping lift people back on the road to a normal and productive life. It really doesn’t take much more than this to open the flood gates of human ingenuity in Iraq. My fingers are crossed the Iraqi government and its leaders will find the same combination to unlock Iraq’s future as has been demonstrated by the US Military in their country. I believe they will now that the violence has been lowered to the point trust and joint success can take over from vengeance and fear.
thought I’d tell you if you were looking for just ONE all inclusive book on Islam and Jihad, this is THE book for you.
THE LEGACY OF JIHAD
Dr. Bostom has exhaustively put together a collection of Islamic writers and their writings on Islam from the beginnings of this religion. It must have taken years of research to assemble this collection.
So, this book does not contain much of his opinion, rather, it contains the opinions of Islamic Theologians. It is truly something every Westerner should own.
Not counting the Appendix or the index, it runs 674 pages. It is broken down into 8 parts, with sub chapters under each. The 8 parts are as follows:
Part1: Jihad Conquests and the Imposition of Dhimmitude- A Survey
Part2: Jihad in the Qur’an and Hadith
Part3: Muslim Theologians and Jurists on Jihad: Classical Writings
Part4: Jihad – Overviews From Important Twentieth – Century Scholars
Part5: Jihad, Seventh through Eleventh Centuries: Summary Text
Part6: Jihad in the Near East, Europe, and the Indian Subcontinent
Part7: Jihad Slavery
Part8: Muslim and Non – Muslim Chronicles and Eyewitness Accounts of Jihad Campaigns.
Appendix A: Towns and Villages Ravaged during the Seljuk – Ottoman Jihad in Asia Minor, Eleventh through Fifteenth Centuries
Appendix B: Jihad Slave Raids (Razzias) by the Tatars, Mid – Fifteenth through Late Seventeenth Centuries
Appendix C: Muslim Jurists, Theologians, and Historians
Appendix D: Non – Muslim Historians, Authors, and Islamic Scholars
There is an entire chapter on 9:29 which everyone should read.
If you desire to learn about this topic, and especially, what was said centuries ago, this book is for you. I have only read the first 28 pages, only because I’m reading 2 other books currently. But I can not wait to really devote my time to this incredible collection. It would be worth anyone’s time if the seriously want to study those who wish to do use harm. Enjoy Your Day.,