Gen. William Odom described the U.S invasion of Iraq as "the greatest strategic disaster in US history"? Is ??

Question

he RIGHT????????????

Answer 1

It's close

I think Blaming and compartmentalizing all Native Americans for the Iroquois joining forces with England during the Revolutionary War. Also ranks as a great mistake that is still being paid for.

These same principals of blaming a large group for the actions of a few is something RedsStaters specialize in.

Go Team Red Go go go

Answer 2

It's funny in a hack sort of way, but in answer to your question, no. A stable middle east would have been a better oil procurement policy because it would keep risk to the supply lines down, keep speculation down, and not cost the US such a dramatic amount of money, time, and political clout. US efforts in Iraq have actually served to destabilize the Middle East in general, at least for the time being, causing the rises in oil prices that we've been seeing for several years. That's because the political situation is uncertain, the supply lines might be endangered at any time, and speculation, as a result, went through the roof. The "war for oil" prospect doesn't make much economic sense, ultimately; the amount of money put into the war effort and the side effects it created don't square with a resource war theory. There is an additional explanation that US leaders were using the war in a conspiratorial way, to generate profits for their ex-business partners in the oil industry. That explanation requires one to go to fairly extreme allegations on spurious evidence. While it squares well with a traditionally Radical point of view, there's not really enough evidence to support that conclusion very solidly. It's very likely that there were reasons, or a reason, other than oil profits that prompted the US to go to war with Iraq.

Answer 3

Problem I have is when Generals step in the political arena I doubt their "words of wisdom" on military affairs. The democrats have been using Odom for talks on their committees but what is clearly a political speech they had him give a response on a weekly democratic response to the president when you do that your military credentials fade out and you speak to the ones paying you the Democrats. His "greatest strategic" is that he is not analyzing with a military history perspective but a blame the President now perspective. So if we want to talk about lying then its Odom who is one.

Answer 4

yes and no-it is hard to maintain supply lines so far from home for a protracted war, not to mention you are placing your troops in danger, surrounded as it were among hostile cultures. After all, in the history of America's wars' after four or five attempts they couldn't capture Canada. I think we have to stop thinking about strategic disasters, and the blood and mayhem, and people losing lives and limbs and at least appreciate the profits made by the war hawks. Win or lose the war profiteers always win. For examle this war might bankrupt the US economy but the military industrial complex will profit handsomely.You see WARS AREN'T REALLY ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING BUT GAINING MONEY.

Answer 5

I had the pleasure of meeting General Odom many years ago. Brilliant man, probably the best intelligence officer who ever served this country.

It was pretty clear that he put The Constitution first in everything that he did and his position on warrantless wiretapping speaks to that loudly and clearly, saying "It wouldn't have happened on my watch."

Not only General Odom, but General Colin Powell and a slew of other highly respected flag officers have spoken out vehemently against the Iraq invasion. As a retired military man (and a Liberal!) I'm motivated to put a LOT of stock in what they have to say and damn little in what the politicians have to say up to and including the President.

Answer 6

From a tactical standpoint alone, the errors both macro and micro of this war is the only thing that has the American public still in shock & Awe.
If you ahev studied any military history or tactics at all, you have to be just shaking your head at almost literally the daily decisions that were and are still being made.
You know in some TOC tent in American bases across iraq, there's generals, who are just shaking their heads in dismay but obediently biting their lips.

Answer 7

Looks that way. Going into Iraq without a plan on the end game is like jumping out of an airplane without the chute, great ride till the last one foot.

Answer 8

Nope…

"the greatest strategic disaster in US history" was a Federal Court appointing a President as apposed to letting an election take it’s course.

Answer 9

Yes! This has done nothing but support terrorism and increase the threat of of violent escalation. It was not well planned nor competently executed. There was no reason for it other than to line the pockets of Corporate America. Our judgment, our morality, our ethics and our reason were cast aside in a fervent display of reactionary and emotional drama.

Answer 10

YES. Even Colin Powell saw right through Bush's plan, and advised him against this folly.... and he was forced to give up his position and quietly fade away for it.

The Shrub must have had his family at gunpoint for a military man like Powell to back down.