There are a few good stories in then news today on the changing roles of US forces in Iraq. Apparently were employing tactics now that have been perfected by the Israelis over the past decade or so in their dealings within the occupied territories. In fact, Israeli military personnel are apparently in Iraq now, teaching our soldiers how to conduct proper assassination missions.
First, heres a clip from the UKs Gaurdian on this change in focus toward targeted killings:
US special forces teams are already behind the lines inside Syria attempting to kill foreign jihadists before they cross the border, and a group focused on the “neutralisation” of guerrilla leaders is being set up, according to sources familiar with the operations.
If you only have time to read one story though, Id recommend Seymour Hershs piece in the New Yorker. He gets into a lot more depth as to Rumsfelds role in the creation of this new man hunting group knows as Task Force 121. Heres a clip from that article:
A former intelligence official said that getting inside the Baathist leadership could be compared to fighting your way into a coconutyou bang away and bang away until you find a soft spot, and then you can clean it out. An American who has advised the civilian authority in Baghdad said, The only way we can win is to go unconventional. Were going to have to play their game. Guerrilla versus guerrilla. Terrorism versus terrorism. Weve got to scare the Iraqis into submission.
And, as all this is happening on our side, bin Laden is apparently making some changes of his own, shifting resources and such. Heres a clip from the MSNBC article:
According to Sharafullah, the Qaeda representatives quoted bin Laden as saying, The spilling of American blood is easy in Iraq. The Americans are drowning in deep, rising water. Many Qaeda men are keen to go to Iraq, bin Ladens delegates at the meeting allegedly added, and they again quoted the sheik as saying: Im giving men who are thirsty a chance to drink deeply.
And, here in America, Mad magazine has some fun with the Lil Bushie action figure.
Thats all I have the stomach for right now. Sorry.
