[EggsAckley]

Maybe it's just me, but this sure seems to fit into the "loose lips" category. A bit too much information, IMO.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[E. Pluribus Unum]

An early version of this concept was tested by the Americans in the 1999 air campaign over Yugoslavia when cluster bombs containing carbon fibre filaments were dropped on electricity supply lines in Belgrade and other cities, causing massive short-circuits.

Sounds like the old "armful of metal clotheshangers thrown from a railroad tressle onto high-tension wires below" trick.

[JmyBryan]

Blitzkrieg 2003

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I wonder if the real reason the Democrats oppose the war is because they know we will win it so decisively, with so few talking points (innocents killed, high casualties on our side, etc.), that it will sweep President Bush back into office in 2004. Liberating Iraq is a major thing to list on one's résumé.

[dead]

it would be indiscriminate, not just turning off electricity for Iraq’s radar stations, but also affecting power to hospitals and schools.

“Will the Americans risk using such a weapon?”

What risk?

I doubt that Iraqi hospitals have much high tech equipment that would be affected by a loss of power. And if they do have such machines, they will undoubtedly be used exclusively for high-ranking friends and supporters of the regime. Joe "SixPacki" Iraqi ain’t benefitting.

And any kids in an Iraqi school could only get smarter by being dismissed. I’m sure they can find the door without lights.

[LibWhacker]

The US Marines are getting shoulder-mounted thermobaric weapons which, if ready in time for a war with Iraq, could have devastating potential in streetfighting in Baghdad.

Wow, shoulder-launched Big BLUs! That's amazing. Those guys must be lifting weights.

[2timothy3.16]

On one of the Christian sites today there is a post by a pastor that makes reference to the book Exodus. After reading his remarks, I pulled the book down and started going through it again. When one thinks of what a hundred thousand Jews did to 5 million arabs back in 1947/48, it isn't hard to imagine us being in and out in a week.

[Dan Day]

The Joint Standoff Weapon (Jsow) is known as a “launch-and-leave” system, fired from an aircraft at a range of about 40 miles and at high altitude.

There's a jaw-dropping depiction of the use of JSOW's in Tom Clancy's book, "The Bear and the Dragon". I'm not sure how acccurate the portrayal is (knowing Clancy, it's probably pretty good), but if the real weapons can perform anywhere near as well as the description in the book, the Iraqis are in for a rude awakening.

Imagine a short-range (if you can call 40 miles "short") cruise missile full of armor-piercing cluster bombs. What's unique about this is that *each* cluster bomblet has its *own* independent guidance system which it can use to autonomously spot a useful target and home in on it. *One* JSOW can conceivably take out a *dozen* or more tanks.

[Goatroper]

I like the J-SOW. When the muslims see that big old sow bomb coming (flying pig)they will pack it in.

[Physicist]

“They have reached an advanced stage in development and have been tested. Basically, a microwave weapon would fry the electrics, but it would be indiscriminate, not just turning off electricity for Iraq’s radar stations, but also affecting power to hospitals and schools.

Sounds perfect for North Korea. Their hospitals and schools don't have electricity. Anything with power is something they can't afford to lose.

[wretchard]

Topography and distances will influence the pace of events. A glance at the map will show that Baghdad is principally defended in the south by the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, as well as its network of tributary streams that spread like dense net to the Gulf, and net which becomes a swamp with the melting of the winter snows in March and April. It is behind these barriers that the Iraqi army is expected to make a stand. Iraq's northern border is anchored on a ridgeline on the lower slopes of mountains which mark its frontier with Turkey. The path to Baghdad from the north involves descending onto the plain bounded by the headwaters of the Tigris to the west and the mountainous Iranian border to the east. Here the tributary network is less dense; but the final approach to the capital is barred by a final ridge just north of Tikrit.

The US Order of Battle has been carefully concealed. But Global Security reports equipment for 11 mechanized or armored brigades in the Kuwait vicinity, with 5 more afloat in Diego Garcia. To the north, which is Turkey and Kurdistan, nothing is reported but Air Force and Special Forces. Reports suggest that 4 naval and 5 air force wings are deploying.

There are two obvious tasks facing the US. One is to instantly paralyze the Iraqi WMD assets, especially those which may be fired from Scuds, both at Kuwait and Israel, as well as to take possession of any arms which may fall into Al-Qaeda hands. The second is to force a route to Baghdad.

It probable that the decisive missions have been assigned to the light forces: the Rangers, Airborne/Airmobile and Special Forces, who may be expected to seize key installations, swarm over the western desert and capture river crossings. The heavy forces based in Kuwait and the Gulf States can be expected to advance parallel to the Euphrates/Tigris river barrier until they can turn east for their final run to Baghdad. How far north they will go before making their final turn must be one of the most closely guarded planning secrets.

Here the time and distance calculations pose a conundrum. The light forces must achieve their essential objectives in less than 48 hours; but the heavy forces cannot complete the 300 mile approach to the Baghdad through the river barriers in much less than 96 hours. There will be a 48 hour gap in which the light forces and the naval and air forces will be all alone.

Commentators have spoken of the coming campaign as a "piece of cake". It will be baked, but hard in the baking. It will be won; but it will be won by men with greater wit and valor than I.

[xzins]

they forgot ground surveillance mobile robotics

urban warfare will never be the same

the buildings can be cased by non-human robots

[My2Cents]

But America’s new technological trump card is the microwave bomb, which is capable of knocking out Baghdad’s electricity supplies without damaging a single building.

It also has the effect of turning their stored grain into popcorn.

[My2Cents]

Scene in Saddam's rearview mirror as he high-tails it out of Baghdad...The F-18-E --

[Momaw Nadon]

Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[Prodigal Son]

The Royal Navy has landattack Tomahawk cruise missiles...they each cost about £500,000...

“That’s like launching a three-bedroom house in London at an Iraqi target,” he said.

I found this bit extremely amusing.

[Fzob]

Here's a flash for a quick end