Source: Feb 2003. Rumsfeld said "I don't believe the war in Iraq will last over 6 to 8 months."
2007-02-02 21:07:37 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
For the people who are saying that the war was over after Saddam was removed from power, and that we're currently in the occupational transition phase, they're just using different words for the same thing. Do you think that whatever happening in Iraq right now is not a WAR?. Stop fooling yourselves. Fighting an insurgency is still a war.
If you put the Vietnam War in the same context, you can also say that it's over from day-one. The Vietcongs are as good as dead. They're no match against the superior American firepower. The following phase was simply dealing with insurgency. Yet, the Vietnam War dragged on for ten years, even resulting in American defeat. So, is it valid for you to say that the Vietnam war was over in one day?.
2007-02-03 03:51:25 · answer #1 · answered by roadwarrior 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Those who drove the campaign to invade Iraq lied about the reasons for going, and didn't have a clue about the consequences of their actions. They actually believed that America would be accepted as heroes, while failing utterly in both the planning and preparation for the invasion. They dismissed the advice of the military command who stated far more troops would be required, knowing full well that had the extent of the cost in lives and dollars been disclosed prior to the invasion, there isn't a snow balls chance in hell that Congress would have voted to support this war.
2007-02-02 22:06:29 · answer #2 · answered by Sailinlove 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Over confidence and mostly because hardly anyone had a clue as to the culture in Iraq and the sectarian problems within Iraq....not to mention that an army you defeat is not so willing to sign on and help you gain control of the people and the government. They looked at a best case scenario and ignored the worst case scenario, like we have now presently.
2007-02-02 21:19:16 · answer #3 · answered by cbmaclean 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Most people believed that the war would be over in that amount of time due to the first Gulf War ending as quickly as it did. However, this war had a different objective and it continually evolves.
This was is trying to bring stability and peace to the middle east. I am not sure this will ever happen! With that being said I do not believe that just pulling our troops out will do anything but cause more problems!
No one ever thinks a war will last as long as it does.
2007-02-02 21:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by da_bears46 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
That's funny. I listened to almost every speach Rumsfeld made and I remember him saying before, during and after the war that it would be a long and difficult process.
Please give us the source and context so that we can know what he was talking about.
He might have overestimated! The war actually only lasted 3 weeks!
2007-02-02 23:43:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Interesting take on the subject... Yes SecDef said it... and it was TRUE.. the overthrow of the regime and the neutralization of the army was accomplised in less time...
I supported the invasion... but put my money ON an insurgency backed by Iran... and thought that we would need a FAR larger MP force.
Did SecDef and NCA FUBAR the planning and execution... YEPPERS... but the media didn't help at ALL in the post-war situation.
And the Liberals SURE turned into weasels the MOMENT there was a crack in the data or plan
2007-02-03 02:19:32 · answer #6 · answered by mariner31 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rumsfeld also said that the war would only cost $1 billion. I guess they got tied up in trying to submit false documents to the U.N. and lie to Americans to support the war that they forgot to actually plan it and look at the big picture.
But at least we got to see some nice shots of Saddam's Husseing statue being torn down.
2007-02-02 21:56:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because they are all known liars. Rumsfeld and Cheney have been part of Presidential Administrations since Nixon. It isn't like their personalities were secret, everyone just turned a blind eye.
***If this is the occupational transitional phase, this will be the first war ever that we've lost hundreds of times more people after the war than during!!
2007-02-02 21:13:43 · answer #8 · answered by neooxyconservative 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Th eoverthrowing of Saddam and his regime DID NOT take 8 months. That is PRECISELY what Rumsfeld and all were talking about.
This is just more of your typical propagnada spew that is built on a foundation of proverbial sand.
2007-02-03 01:28:39 · answer #9 · answered by DiamondDave 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They underestimated Iraqi people reaction against invasion and they were mislead by their friends I mean the Iraqis who came with US troops and currently govern Iraq.
2007-02-02 22:32:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋