Replies

I was in Baghdad with the 3rd ID in 2003. When we were quelling the looting and horseplay that had engulfed the city, my technique was to have Haji police himself. We allowed each home and each business to have a weapon, so long as they kept it indoors (for gas stations, each attendant was allowed to carry a weapon). We even made up improvised weapon permits for them, to make sure there was no confusion about this rule. We encouraged a few volunteer parents armed with AKs to stand guard outside of their children's schools, when class was in session. We stepped up our patrols at schools when kids were showing up to school and when kids were released; at gas stations, when they were closing; at other businesses and clinics shortly before curfew. Worked like a charm.

Then came 1st AD. They relieved us and were in full Bosnia/Kosovo peacekeeping mode. They started confiscating weapons. I tried to explain to them why it was a bad idea. But, they had their ideas for how they were going to do things and they were not interested in fielding suggestions from us, even though we had been there for months. It didn't take long for the place to go to hell, after that relief in place in June 03. Did the city go to hell because they attempted to disarm everyone, to make the city "safe"? I think so. I can't prove it, but it's one heck of a coincidence. It is not just bad policy to disarm a populace. It is also an arrogant and rude gesture toward a culture such as the Arabs to do something like that. I'm just amazed that the opposition wasn't more fierce.