Barack Obama

[tslust]

Originally Posted by TracyCoxx

It may be large, but I would imagine it's poorly maintained. How could it not be if it's so large? They do not have a large economy to support it. Iraq had the 4th largest army. As of 2006 it was the 9th largest. What happened?

Firstly, when it comes to war, you must never underestimate the enemy. True, the Iraqi Army was very formidable (mainly in '91) force on paper. However almost all of their tanks and planes were obsolete Soviet epuiptment. The bulk of their ground forces were made up from conscripts, who had little or no training and experience. Our forces were just as green, but were better equipted, led, and trained.
Secondly, the enemy rarely ever follows your plan for him. The Iraqis were almost obsessed with fixed defences. Patton said, "Fixed fortifications are monuments to man's stupidity." The problem for the Iraqis was they seem to have forgotten that they were fighting in the desert. Desert Warfare is always a war of mobility. However, N. Korea is much different. War in N. Korea would be a war of attrition. The N. Korean Army may not have the "nice toys" that we have. They are fairly well equipted, the Chinese have seen to that, because in N. Korea, the Army comes first; all other matters (including starving children) are secondary.
Remember you must never underestimate your enemy. Understimation leads to overconfidence, which leads to complacency, which turns into unnecessary casualties.