RIP Gen. Schwarzkopf

[uebermann]

[Indy]

I didn't realize he was sick. But yeah, remember back when we used to kick ass in wars?

Interesting story: I read a book on cyber warfare not long ago and in it, the author talks about how the Chinese were so in awe of how we just obliterated the Iraqi forces with our weaponry back then, they made a decision that they were never going to square off against us conventionally, hence the push since then to perfect asymmetric warfare, like cyber warfare.

Back then the Iraqi military was considered to be one of the more badass on the planet and we just wiped them out--in days. The general's strategy was a large part of that, so I think his legacy is pretty secure.

[eric]

Meh, I think Iraq was overrated then, and it was overrated when we bombed them to hell in 2003.

The whole "we used to win wars" comment is silly.

[Indy]

[OGPhilly]

May he return to the bowels of hell from which he came.

[eric]

[Indy]

The great irony of the first Iraq war was that we were "liberating" Kuwait.

Yes, that free and open society exemplified by... Kuwait.

What we were actually doing is acting as a proxy army for Saudi Arabia, who thought they would be next.

[uebermann]

Well, oil.

[WizardfromOz]

I actually think the man was a bloody genius - The liberation of Kuwait required him to mesh fighting forces from a number of countries each with their strengths and weakness to execute an absolute text book attack on Iraq forces. It easy to look back and say, well they didn't put up much opposition did they - But the planners back then didn't know that and the Republican Guard was expected to put up almost suicidal opposition.

[exploited]

I don't see how the Iraq military was ever considered one of the most badass in the world.

Russia, China, Britain, hell, even Canada could kick the shit out of Iraq, given the proper motivation.