"Delayed sweep fuels insurgents, Iraqi PM says. Leader complains Baghdad joint security operation is off to a slow start."

How long does it take to train an American soldier? An American policeman? 6 months, including Advanced Basic. 6 months including probation. 'Bout that. I suspect many American soldiers are over there with less than 6 months training.

And how long have they had to train Iraqi soldiers and police, many of whom were soldiers and police before? Over 2 years?

You know it doesn't, I know it doesn't take that long. They are not stupid, they know the area, they are acclimatized, they speak the language. They simply don't want to die for a foreign occupying power. That's not martyrdom.

If the Iraqis were determined to "secure" Baghdad, why do they need American involvement? Saddam had it "secured", Sunnis and Shiites lived in mixed neighborhoods peacefully. Saddam was brutal, true. Any more brutal than what is going on?

In the US Civil War, the way both sides managed to get their troops to charge into the face of cannon fire was to have three ranks of enlisted personnel in front. Then one rank of NCOs. Three more ranks of enlisted folks, and a row of officers.

If anyone in the first rows broke and ran to the rear, the NCOs would shoot 'em. At closer range than the cannons. If any of the NCOs or anyone in the next rows broke to the rear, the officers would shoot 'em.

I wonder if that's the purpose of the Americans, and what's going to keep the Iraqis from "fragging" them?

As the troops in the field say, the badguys will simply melt away until everyone's back is turned, and then come back. Hopeless situation militarily, though there will be many, many positive press releases, and more paid blogs.

Arf