Resistance in Iraq Is Home Grown

[fizzana]

Despite the U.S. government's insistence that Iraq has become the new battlefield of global terrorism, most of the resistance is home grown. The guerrillas are militants from the deposed regime, but they are also ordinary Iraqis opposed to occupation. They are ex-intelligence officers and farmers, militiamen and merchants, bombers and fishermen, according to more than a dozen interviews with Americans and Iraqis.

<snip>

Instead, the groups remain largely localized and their weapons of choice remain readily available from the Hussein government's leftover arsenals, according to Iraqis familiar with the resistance as well as U.S. field commanders battling it day in, day out. Bombs are made of dynamite or plastic explosives planted in discarded canisters, bottles or, more recently, the bodies of dead dogs left on the side of the road and detonated by remote control.

A guerrilla fighter from Fallouja, 35 miles west of Baghdad, said in an interview that his cell was not working with foreign fighters but is willing to do so in the future. For now, he said, his unit is adequately equipped and trained.

<snip>

Criminal gangs in many cases have entered a temporary marriage of convenience with the groups, according to Iraqi sources. Within the epidemic of kidnappings plaguing Baghdad, some are staged to earn ransoms to finance attacks on U.S. soldiers. And insurgent chieftains often hire common criminals to pull off bombing or shooting attacks.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-resist2sep02,1,2779284.story?coll=la-home-headlines

More evidence this isn't going to be over soon. The article also suggests that outsiders have barely even begun to get control. COmbine that with the alliances with criminal groups and you have a situation that is virtually impossible to control.

[JPace]

1. "situation that is virtually impossible to control"

I wasn't able to register but what you printed
is very insightful. What I don't understand is
how the AWOL regime is able to continue with
believing it can handle the situation alone.
The whole strategy of taking and holding onto
Iraq is turning into a nightmare (Viet Nam on
a fast track).

The AWOL regime has a failed domestic policy...

and now....

A failed foreign policy.

[fizzana]

2. This administration exists in an echo chamber

They only hear what they want to hear and they only listen to voices that reinforce what they believe.

[Sick of Bullshit]

3. Yes, an echo chamber of delusion

Say or do something that disagrees with their worldview, and they go batshit, like Whistle-ass did in Ohio yesterday.

[Junkdrawer]

4. THIS is the story this administration wants buried...

because it means we will never leave Iraq on our terms.

[eablair3]

5. who are the "terrorists" ??

the article says:

"Despite the U.S. government's insistence that Iraq has become the new battlefield of global terrorism, ..."

that is likely correct, but Bush is just mixed up about which people are committing terrorism and are the terrorists.