A recent clash in Baghdad shows how this works:
Police said the clashes erupted when gunmen attacked Iraqi army checkpoints in the Haifa Street area, and that Iraqi soldiers appealed to the U.S. military for help. American forces sealed off roads and joined Iraqi troops in raiding houses in pursuit of the gunmen, police said.
Checkpoints aren't usually big. The enemy hit them but without enough attackers to overwhelm them. The Iraqis held their ground and called for reinforcements.
This time, our troops came to help. Other times, Iraqis do. In time, the Iraqis will provide the quick reaction forces for initial responses.
The enemy isn't a proper insurgency with organized combat units at all. Just terrorists and gunmen who can kill and can't actually win.
Talk of the enemy winning is just mind boggling in my view. If everyone truly knows that the war is going badly, you'd think someone might raise their hand to question the groupthink.
Can anyone see my hand up?
