Basra wasn’t Tet because Tet wasn’t “Tet”
Just a month ago, pundits (cf. Frank Rich’s mid-April New York Times article) were writing off the violence in Basra—especially rocket and mortar attacks on the Green Zone—as Tet, 1968. But of course it wasn’t. And not just because Americans, in a spike of violence, lost 52 in April—not the some 1500 during Tet (depending on how one defines the length of the campaign).
That said, Tet was an impressive American victory, not a defeat—in Saigon, Hue, and Khe Sanh—in which the North Vietnamese broke the armistice, attacked with thousands of troops and lost nearly 50,000, surrendering control of the South Vietnamese countryside for over a year. The North Vietnamese after the war admitted the extent of the disaster they suffered—and the propaganda victory they achieved.
The chief problem in Iraq has been the fragility of the Anbar awakening, and concern that the tribal chiefs will revert in anger at the fact that the Iranian-back militias have either taken control of, or are immune from, the Maliki Shiite-dominated government. For Iraq to survive, the Sunnis to participate, and Iran to lose influence, there had to be some sort of Shiite government cleaning up of Basra and turning on Sadr and his thugs. That has happened, and while we might not have liked the timing, its resolution is necessary for Iraq to stabilize.
Basra, then, was hardly a Tet, but then Tet wasn’t a “Tet” either.
The War about the War
With the publication of Gen. Sanchez’s memoirs we are now fighting the book war over the real war, remembering that Gen. Franks, Doug Feith (by far the best documented), Paul Bremmer, and a host of others have already weighed in. Of course, “not me, him” is the theme, but there is nothing new here either. From 1865 to 1890 Union and Confederate generals refought Shiloh (cf. poor Gen. Lew Wallace), Gettysburg (poor Longstreet), and almost every campaign of the war. The same was true of WWII, as the memoirs of Eisenhower, Bradley (two versions no less!), Montgomery, and the notes and letters of Patton, were all mutually contradictory—as Falaise, the halt at the Rhine, Arnhem, and the Bulge were all blamed on someone else. And the position and status of postbellum writers always matter. (Nothing is sadder than Gen. Wallace’s entreaties to ex-President Grant to give him the benefit of the doubt about the mix-up at Shiloh). The Eisenhower Presidency and the longevity of Bradley meant that the mainstream narrative of a reckless, uncouth Patton was pretty much standard—not the truer account of a sophisticated, widely-read, sober and judicious thinker, who was right on his views of Falaise, Arnhem, and the Bulge.
What happened in Iraq won’t be known for years—and the judgment will hinge on whether we insure the continuance of the democratic government there, or abandon it and the country sinks into chaos.
Metamophoses
Think of all the weird changes we have witnessed the last few months:
The liberal media suddenly flipped and now apparently hate the Clintons far more than the ‘vast right-wing conspiracy’ ever did. In fact, they seem to be trumping all the arguments of duplicity and disingenuousness made between 1997-2000. One wonders whether, if they now acknowledge that they were wrong about Clinton then, some day in the future they will likely turn on Obama?
Race: the Clintons went from the “first black” co-Presidency to openly talking about catering to the “white” vote; likewise, the first “transracial” candidate went from “bring us together” to “typical white person” and white working classes clinging to guns and religion—and garnering 95% of the African-American vote. No one can think that defining oneself in racial terms first is not a dangerous and reprehensible trend, and can never be liberal, no matter how many liberals subscribe to it. The proverbial chickens came home to roost this election, and it is eerie to see liberal Democrats on both sides of the issues split along racial lines, implictly encouraged to do so by two “liberal” candidates.
John McCain went from the darling bipartisan moderate of the press to being portrayed as a foaming right-wing nut, supposedly too old and too tempermental.
Hillary went from the hard-left, elitist half of the Clinton team to a blue-collar, pant-suited, beer-drinking everywoman—and after she loses back to what?
Bill Clinton lost any gravitas he had so carefully sought to reclaim after the pardons, Monica, the asleep-at-the-wheel reactions to terrorism, etc., going from the star of the jet-setters at Davos to speaking to tiny unconvinced audiences in North Carolina.
Meanwhile gas hits $4 a gallon and there is no chance of a grand compromise in which conservatives further increase mileage standards and solar/wind subsidies in exchange for the far more important concession from liberals to drill in ANWR, our coasts, build refineries, as well as clean-burning coal and nuclear power plants.
A Final Note: Flying, Take #5
After doing more flying this week, I realize that 99% of the problems are caused by 1% of the passengers. And yet, given the squeeze of seats, lack of storage space, and long lines, just one or two persons can do a lot of damage.
While boarding, on yesterday’s flight, a 30-something woman, with a 4-5 year old in tow (along with two enormous carry-ons) in Zone 5, suddenly cut in (“My daughter must go to the bathroom, right now!”). Most murmured that she should go off down the hallway before boarding, but nevertheless she and her bags cut in and went onto the gangway.
Then once on board, she blocked the aisle for 2-3 minutes with her cell-phoning. Then she went against the aisle boarding traffic to get to the first class on-plane bathroom, again delaying boarding for some 150 people. Then once in the air, she gets up and pulls out an oversize carry-on to find her book (rummaging through the bag on the aisle floor). Then she asks the stewardess for various snack boxes and pulls out a $50 bill.
I won’t go on, but you get the picture that planes and their use are fragile, and a single miscreant can put them all out of kilter, ruin the mood of dozens, and delay even more appointments.
I never understood why the supposedly lax government has all sort of rules you dare not break at the security check-in; while the supposedly tough private sector enforces none of its own.
PJM Home
A War Like No Other How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War
Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power
Mexifornia : A State of a Becoming
Why the West Has Won: Nine Landmark Battles in the Brutal History of Western Victory
Between War and Peace: Lessons from Afghanistan to Iraq
The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece (Paperback)
Wars of the Ancient Greeks (Smithsonian History of Warfare) (Paperback)
Who Killed Homer: The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom
Fields Without Dreams : Defending the Agrarian Ideal (Paperback)
The Soul of Battle: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, How Three Great Liberators Vanquished Tyranny
The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War (Paperback)
Pajamas Media appreciates your comments that abide by the following guidelines:
1. Avoid profanities or foul language unless it is contained in a necessary quote or is relevant to the comment.
2. Stay on topic.
3. Disagree, but avoid ad hominem attacks.
4. Threats are treated seriously and reported to law enforcement.
5. Spam and advertising are not permitted in the comments area.
The clause regarding "hate speech" has been deleted because readers criticized it as being too loosely defined. We agreed.
These guidelines are very general and cannot cover every possible situation. Please don't assume that Pajamas Media management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment. We reserve the right to filter or delete comments or to deny posting privileges entirely at our discretion. If you feel your comment was filtered inappropriately, please email us at story@pajamasmedia.com.
8 Comments
1. TLM:An intriguing aspect of the war in Iraq is the apparent disparity in attitude between the home front and the war zone. If pollsters are to be believed, a majority of Americans think the war is a mistake and would pull out as soon as possible. The mainstream media seek to portray relatively minor engagements as major turning points in the war, a la Frank Rich. President Bush who initiated this war and botched its execution for four years has the lowest popularity rating in history and is a lame duck politically. This, of course, has empowered congress to circumscribe his ability to prosecute this unpopular war. Not. Democrats who seek to replace him, and their advisors, don’t waver in their conviction to end the war immediately upon taking office. Not believably. College students, nominally the conscience of our society, engage in significant anti-war protests and acts of civil disobedience . Not noticeably. Thus, by their actions, should we evaluate their convictions.
Contrast this with the soldiers who are fighting in Iraq. Despite every conceivable morale-buster being thrown at them (extended tours, stop-loss, repetitive tours, inadequate equipment, four years of setbacks before the surge, etc.) they still seem to believe in the mission and want to succeed. Judge them by their actions. Enlistment, re-enlistment and officer retention remain remarkably high for such an unpopular war. As best one can tell, on the ground troop morale also remains high in the hell-hole that is Iraq. Reports of alcohol and drug abuse among the troops are non-existent compared to Viet Nam. And, thanks to modern technology, these soldiers are the most wired into the home front of any Army we’ve ever fielded. They are not ignorant of the American public’s view on this war. That it doesn’t jive with their own speaks volumes. Perhaps we should listen to them and their commanders when assessing the prospects for success in this war, and ignore Frank Rich and his like-minded colleagues at the New York Times.
Professor: Kudos for your post “The New Learning That Failed” on your other website. I copied it off for my son who’s entering West Point this June. He’ll get a kick out of it. Now I just need to find a pre-postmodern college for my daughters.
May 9, 2008 - 3:27 am 2. M.E.:I don’t read the liberal media (like NYT etc.): it’s a useless waste of time if you seek information and not “opinions” of professional falsifiers. Moreover their longing for the defeat of the US, country that has always fought against the most criminal and hateful regimes in Europe, Asia, Vietnam, Iraq… revolts my stomach. I have read your description and analysis of Tet in “Carnage and Culture”. This book (masterpiece of its genre) has struck me. In an article (NR) you called Iraqi War a moral war. So could be called Vietnam and Cambodia Wars, because they were wars against absolutely criminal regimes.
May 9, 2008 - 9:26 am 3. newguy40:The US withdrawal from Iraq would mean an immense carnage of civil population like in Vietnam and Cambodia. So the US has responsibility for this country. That is not only a military or political question but above all moral. For this reason George W. Bush repeats constantly (ad sensum): Vietnam will not be repeated. The hopes of the terrorist and their “liberal” fans are vain. Differently of his cynic critics, this truly great man feels deeply his moral responsibility.
Dr Hanson:
Personally, I am convinced that your recent flying experience is tied to a lack of simple courtesy and civility in our culture.
From the individuals who eat, shave, apply make up, text message, cell call while attempting to maintain control of their vehicles to the individuals who cannot seem to get the concept of parental control, I despair.
May 9, 2008 - 9:31 am 4. Trudy B. Taylor:the american flying experience is gravitating towards the mexican bus-riding experience.
May 9, 2008 - 11:37 am 5. Trudy B. Taylor:tlm: not the entire home front. not even most of the home front.
try pepperdine university.
May 9, 2008 - 11:40 am 6. Ron Kean:It’s Friday. Lebanon reminds me of the book ‘Lord Of The Flies’.
It’s not over by a long shot. Anyone who thinks I’m racist for bringing up Michelle and Jeremiah over and over can make my day.
Senator Clinton has come in from the left. She’s seen the irrationality. The betrayal. Many of us switched from a lifetime of being Democrat to being Republican. Is it really true that anything is possible?
McCain’s a great guy. But he talks about Mao and global warming. I hope he’s only pandering for the moment.
If I only had a scant few bookmarks, this would be one.
May 9, 2008 - 5:09 pm 7. ajacksonian:As the bards would tell us of Troy, of 300, of Alexander of Roland and of countless others, so, too, do our modern bards venture to the battlezone without the music to go with their lyrics. From Yon, the man who retired and wanted nothing to do with war reporting, we have now heard from across Iraq and in Afghanistan and the tune of determination we hear, time and again, give hope to those who read. Likewise the talents of Totten, the unsung bard who has ventured across Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, and now Iraq and Kosovo, brings us the rich tone of those lands and his understanding from having been in them. The lesser artists of Bill Roggio, DJ Elliot, Bill Ardolino, the Laughing Wolf and Maj. Tammes fill in the mosaic of war and our soldiers, to show how our soldiers are citizens *still* in how they work the magic of America in far and distant lands.
Our MSM is stuck on tragedy and despair and that chorus has groan hoarse with the continual dirge that is no tune, has no depth and has no meaning. It is those lights that tell of failure and success and the willingness to succeed that shows just how small and lamentable that timid chorus is not to venture forth beyond mere show and hotel reporting. Where are the determined reporters, like those who dropped on D-Day and those who travelled and happily with their citizen soldiers in years gone by? They were lionized but, now, not emulated, thus giving disrespect to their trade and not putting in the hard work to do it.
Thus the day of the tuneless bards is upon us, for they, like the bards of old, risk life and limb to bring back those tales and stories that matter to those at home. Turn off the tube and pick up a cup of ale and read from those who have been there with our fellow citizens to report good, bad and ugly all together as there is no whole understanding without seeing its depth and complexity. And in tribute, like the bards of old, give them their fair due and contribute so they may venture forth again, well supported by those who seek to know this world without the limelight and hear of the deeds done by those who have walked amongst us and will, with good grace, come home and share that knowing with us.
May 10, 2008 - 5:36 am 8. RockingChairVet:A war won-the war on poverty-as poverty was measured less by income as by diet, body weight, composition-the Federal Government’s 43 year war on poverty has created, metaphorically, little examples of government spending-the obese poor.
After spending 1/4 century in combat boots and returning to the private sector-it actually awes me-how obese my country has become. We are-huge!!!!
As my new colleagues (most half my age) say to me-”you are a lean, mean, fighting machine” and my response is actually, “I am a first generation American from Scot-Irish stock. We are made like stones laid to form Hadrian’s Wall (the colleagues ask, what is ‘Adrian’s Wall-from Rocky?’) and seek nothing more than the opportunity that millions of Americans have sacrificed for all of us-especially you that are ignorant of that sacrifice.” (the colleagues say, “man, you are bumming me out.”). God knows these youngsters are good, decent, but sorely lacking in the classics, the military art, something Dr. Hanson so eloquently states and clearly writes each and every day.
May 12, 2008 - 4:43 pmThank you, sir!