The reports of the latest setback for the Iraqi army come after government officials acknowledged that during fighting last month against Shiite militias in the southern city of Basra, more than 1,300 Iraqi soldiers and police deserted or refused to fight.
Latest "setback."
Seriously, don't take your military analysis from our media. They haven't a clue.
Retreats, desertions, surrenders, and defections--and even defeats--during battle are not uncommon. Rest assured, our enemies have suffered worse attrition this way.
Remember the Sons of Iraq? The Awakening? But with these defectors to our side our press tells us the situation is a disaster waiting to happen for us.
We retreat? Disaster for us. They retreat? Disaster for us.
It's almost like the reporters are writing wish-fulfillment pieces rather than news.
