Some useful Iraq-related links

I've uncovered a couple of interesting documents available on the web. The first is the so-called Iraq 'Smart Card.' This pdf gives the cultural dos and don'ts for our soldiers and civilians to follow. For example, its impolite to point with your finger. If you must point something out, use your whole hand.

Here's the link

Next, is the Army's updated counter-insurgency manual. The purpose of the memo has been laid out in the foreword.

This manual is designed to fill a doctrinal gap. It has been 20 years since the Army published a field manual devoted exclusively to counterinsurgency operations. For the Marine Corps it has been 25 years. With our Soldiers and Marines fighting insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is essential that we give them a manual that provides principles and guidelines for counterinsurgency operations. Such guidance must be grounded in historical studies. However, it also must be informed by contemporary experiences.

Here's the link

Both of these documents are exemplary. Its just a damn shame the thought and work that went into the documents were NOT completed BEFORE we invaded the damned country.

My closing questions: Iraq is FUBAR wrapped in an enigma; will we learn the lesson of Iraq? Or, will the NeoCons have their way and give us war with Iran and Syria?