It should have been the easiest invasion in history, and the incompetence and arrogance of the Pentagon planners turned it into a total catastrophe. So yes, it hasn't worked out the way they wanted, but that has nothing to do with their plans. It would be like saying that Hitler didn't intend to conquer the world because he failed. They actually succeeded in creating an insurgency, which didn't exist, there was no basis for it and no outside support. In fact, the U.S. and Britain were compelled to allow elections. The elections in Iraq are a triumph of mass popular nonviolent resistance. Washington and London tried in every way they could to evade elections. You go back through 2003, there was one after another scheme proposed, to try to avoid elections. But they couldn't do it, there were mass demonstrations, partially led by Ayatollah Sistani. Finally they had to back down, and allow elections. Now they're trying in every way to subvert them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author argues the invasion failed due to incompetence and that elections were forced by popular resistance, not planners.
- In plain terms
- The invasion failed because planners were incompetent, and people forced elections.
- What can you take from it?
- Popular resistance can force political changes despite official plans.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can popular movements override military plans?
- What causes military invasions to fail?
Another view
The claim that elections are a triumph of resistance is a specific interpretation.
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