Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Turkish Troops for Iraq Invasion

Turkey will send perhaps 70,000 troops into northern Iraq when we invade. This development adds to the invasion force the corps I have expected the Turks to contribute. This should keep the Iraqis from deploying troops away from the north and into the south facing Kuwait. Our attack out of Kuwait will thus be able to capture Basra and feint the main effort. Turks in the north will pin Iraqis and, with a US light infantry division, will also make sure the Kurds don’t decide to declare independence unilaterally.

When XVIII Airborne Corps with two heavy division and 101st AB, roll into the western suburbs of Baghdad, the Iraqis will be panicky and unsure what to expect next.

Haven’t heard anything lately, but on the weekend reports of President Bush addressing the UN Wednesday and a report that US special forces are operating in Iraq identifying weapons of mass destruction are interesting. I don’t think we need it, but could we have a “gotcha” moment real soon that will satisfy the non-French critics?

On to Baghdad. In my name, by all means.