Went stomping around in an area to the east of Yusifiya today. Interesting to note this area has some historical significance. It is near a town called Sippar, which was an ancient Sumarian and later Babylonian city on the banks of the Tigres River. Sippar is also apparently mentioned in the Old Testament. We weren’t there for a historical visit, however, we were there to get some bad guys and capture some blow-up stuff. It used to be an Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) stronghold, but things have improved. Now it is just a mostly Sunni area that is subjected to AQI pressures from time to time.
It’s worth noting that the historical significance of the place is lost on the Iraqis, as they now use it for Mortar practice.
Frustrations this week: With the forthcoming election, the US is having a hard time letting the IA be responsible for security. We are jamming some western planning and security techniques down their throat, and I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do. The election will happen in its own Iraqi way, and I predict it will largely be uneventful. Some days the IA does amazing things, and they come up with innovative solutions to problems. Other days, they sit back and let the US solve the problems for them, and they take a passive stance. Why should they care—the US will just fix the problem for them anyway.
We are in a sense afraid to let them fail, and by doing so, we prevent their independence.
Just one guy’s opinion. Thanks for reading.
Right to left: Me and CPT Mowfak, one of the S3s, and MAJ Hassan, the Brigade commo guy
Ron
It’s worth noting that the historical significance of the place is lost on the Iraqis, as they now use it for Mortar practice.
Frustrations this week: With the forthcoming election, the US is having a hard time letting the IA be responsible for security. We are jamming some western planning and security techniques down their throat, and I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do. The election will happen in its own Iraqi way, and I predict it will largely be uneventful. Some days the IA does amazing things, and they come up with innovative solutions to problems. Other days, they sit back and let the US solve the problems for them, and they take a passive stance. Why should they care—the US will just fix the problem for them anyway.
We are in a sense afraid to let them fail, and by doing so, we prevent their independence.
Just one guy’s opinion. Thanks for reading.
Right to left: Me and CPT Mowfak, one of the S3s, and MAJ Hassan, the Brigade commo guyRon
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