1999 US Gov't War Games Predicted 400,000 Troops Needed To Invade Iraq, Even Then Chaos Would Ensue

[Hissyspit]

Via Americablog:

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/11/1999-us-govt-war-games-predicted.html

Saturday, November 04, 2006

1999 US Govt war games predicted 400,000 troops needed to invade Iraq, and even then chaos would ensue
by Joe in DC - 11/04/2006 07:28:00 PM

No one could have predicted we'd need more than 150,000 troops to win in Iraq, and even then no one could have predicted it would end up a nightmare.

Oh no, that's wrong. Bill Clinton's administration predicted that fact, and George Bush's administration ignored it.

Back in 1999, chaos was predicted from an Iraq invasion even if we had 400,000 troops over there:

The U.S. government conducted a series of secret war games in 1999 that anticipated an invasion of Iraq would require 400,000 troops, and even then chaos might ensue.

In its "Desert Crossing" games, 70 military, diplomatic and intelligence officials assumed the high troop levels would be needed to keep order, seal borders and take care of other security needs.
No wonder Iraq is such a disaster. Rumsfeld, Bush and Cheney wanted to the Iraq war with fewer troops. A lot fewer. Experts were worried about chaos with 400,000 troops.

[ECH1969]

1. Of course chaos would ensue regardless of troop levels

The Sunni and Shia hate each other and want to dominate each other and only a strong fist could keep them down.

[Hissyspit]

2. It's even more complicated then that. You have to factor tribal allegiences, too.

Other factors.

[williesgirl]

3. But...the DECIDER knew better - asshole - recommended

[applegrove]

4. It started at 500,000. Rummy negotiated them down, and down, and down.

"New Assumptions" or something.

[Hissyspit]

5. .