Opinion Editorials, July 2007
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"Phantom Thunder" Whom?
By Ali Al-Hail
ccun.org, July 9, 2007
The US freshest security 'surge' plan in Iraq, got started in February. It literally, refers to the 'surge' of US occupation forces in Iraq.
As regard more than one legitimate question is critically, bound to arise. For instance, What makes this particular 'surge' plan of US occupation troops in Iraq different from earlier 'surge' plans? Why is this 'surge' given such a focus in the pro-war media? Does this attention to this 'surge' mean that, preceding 'surges' had failed to meet the requirements upon which they were launched since March 20, 2003?
The plan, despite widespread criticisms from almost every direction in the US, Europe, and elsewhere is still fighting for its survival. It is expected to continue for sometime, amid indications of about to collapse. The plan is hoped by the Bush administration to avoid previous plans flaws that, had observably, led to a conspicuous disappointment.
The nascent plan is setout to target Baghdad along with its suburbs and outskirts. To carry out this plan, an extra 30,000 US troops have been deployed. This new deployment brought up the number of US personnel in Iraq to nearly, 160,000.
The aim is obviously, as in prior plans, to wipe out 'insurgents'. On June 15 an operation called this time the "Phantom Thunder" was setup apparently, as an operational phase for the 'surge' plan.
Many argue that, this plan along with its annex is a desperate attempt by the drowned Bush administration in Iraq's deep water, to cling to a piece of straw. Since numerous plans and operations failed remarkably, over the past five years, why should this one work?
One presumes, as do many that, the Bush administration is looking for a success that doesn't seem to exist, somewhere amongst the detritus in Iraq. Especially, after the US toll suffered severely.
It appears that, the capitalist theory in economics, which is if you want to make more money you ought to spend more money, has more or less been applied to the war in Iraq. The US keeps losing an average of five – 6 soldiers on a daily basis. 3592 US troops, marines and other recruits who are now reported to have been killed in Iraq by 'insurgents', for whom so many plans and operations were architected since the invasion began on March 20, 2003, in order to rein them in. This hope, day after day seems almost impossible.
Published Statistics from US and Iraqi official sources in Iraq indicate that everyday violence has dramatically been increasing, particularly since the "Phantom Thunder" was put in place on June 15. According to the BBC, 25 US troops have been killed since then. An occurrence which shed doubts on the operation, and on the whole what's called the 'surge' security plan.
This simply implies that the plan together with its operation is encountering huge difficulties. Seemingly, the 'insurgents' have a plan on their own. A principle in CHESS says, "always remember that, you are not the only one on the CHESS board."
A component of the 'insurgents' plan is purportedly, manifested by a tactic. To hit hard where there is no or less US military presence. This counter-plan aims at demographically disturbing the US and their Iraqi trainees. When US and Iraqi forces are in Baghdad or Al-Anbar, the 'insurgents' get active in Basra, in the South, or in Kirkuk, in the north. The Saturday attack, July 7 in Amirli, just outside Kirkuk, clearly drew on the 'insurgents' tactic (BBC On Line, July 6).
Professor, Dr. Ali Al-Hail, Professor of Mass Communication, Twice Fulbright Award Winner, Fulbright Visiting Scholar, and Board Member of AUSACE ASC, IABD, NEBAA, BEA, IMDA and EAJMC American Associations.
Can be contacted via: alhailali@yahoo.com
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