Ex-general: Iraq `nightmare' for US

28 minutes ago

ARLINGTON, Va. - The U.S. mission in Iraq is a "nightmare with no end in sight" because of political misjudgments after the fall of Saddam Hussein that continue today, a former chief of U.S.-led forces said Friday.

Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who commanded coalition troops for a year beginning June 2003, cast a wide net of blame for both political and military shortcomings in Iraq that helped open the way for the insurgency — such as disbanding the Saddam-era military and failing to cement ties with tribal leaders and quickly establish civilian government after Saddam was toppled.

He called current strategies — including the deployment of 30,000 additional forces earlier this year — a "desperate attempt" to make up for years of misguided policies in Iraq.

"There is no question that America is living a nightmare with no end in sight," Sanchez told a group of journalists covering military affairs.

Sanchez avoided pointing his criticism at any single official or agency, but it appeared a broad indictment of White House policies and a lack of leadership in the Pentagon to oppose them. Such assessments — even by former Pentagon brass — are not new, but they have added resonance as debates over war strategy dominate the presidential campaign.

Sanchez went on to offer a pessimistic view on the current U.S. strategy against extremists will make lasting gains, but said a full-scale withdrawal also was not an option.

"The American military finds itself in an intractable situation ... America has no choice but to continue our efforts in Iraq," said Sanchez, who works as a consultant training U.S. generals.

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Quoted: Sanchez is an idiot.  He showed up at the Sadr City district council building in November 2003 for a meet 'n greet.  Had his M9 on under his body armor, so he would have to take the armor off to draw the weapon.  I tried to shake his hand, but he insisted that I salute him outside, in an area where we had sniper problems.  Fine, it's your brainpan catching the bullet.

Ah, an affirmatvie action officer, now I get it!

 Glad to hear he feels NO responsilbilty for what went on there.

But then again to be fair,  I have not read the full context of his remarks.