Iraq on $3 billion weapons buying binge

The Examiner ^ | March 19 2007 | Rowan Scarborough

[Popocatapetl]

Something is wrong here. Iraq's military has almost no artillery, anti-aircraft weapons, or air force that it needs to defend itself against Iran.

In this situation, I would have several hundred pilot candidates training in Texas, on aircraft they would eventually "fly home" to Iraq. I would also have long ago added a field artillery school to their other military branch schools, because practiced gunners take a long time to train.

There must be a reason why we haven't done this, but why?

[SevenMinusOne]

HK416 is an excellent weapon....

The Iraqis won't have these in their arsenal however, for a variety of reasons that make sense.

But without a doubt the HK416 has shown itself to be a d*mn fine weapon to date. A number of guys are loving it down range that I'm aware of.

[jmc1969]

We spend almost nothing today on Iraqi reconstruction. The real cost of being in Iraq which is about 9 billion dollars per month comes from the wearing down and replacement of US equipment in Iraq.

[jmc1969]

The unwillingness of the Pentagon to help the Iraqi government produce a military that can defend it from Iraq, Syria, or any of its other enemies has angered me as well.

The answer always comes down to "we don't trust Iraqi's".

Yet, we are giving top of the line weapons to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia two governments in every way worse then Iraq.

[KoRn]

Given the history of things in the world, I'd give it within 15 years those weapons will be used against us in one way or another.

[jmc1969]

If you don't trust the new Iraq we are building you should be demanding immediate withdrawl at the top of your lungs.

[EGPWS]

Its a bit surprising how many people forget that Iraq isn't a dirt poor third world country.

They were under a very rich dictator.

This is excellent news!

[EGPWS]

Given the history of things in the world, I'd give it within 15 years those weapons will be used against us in one way or another.

Shoot (no pun intended) your right, we should have let someone else sell them their weapons. /sarc

[blam]

Does that mean they'll rebury the Mig-29's in the desert?

[Stonewall Jackson]

I remember hearing just a few weeks ago that they have located another oil field, this time in the West-Central region, which had been oil-less up until this time.

[Obie Wan]

Good,glad to hear it !!!

[EGPWS]

Yet, we are giving top of the line weapons to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia two governments in every way worse then Iraq.

Pakistan perhaps, however not Saudia Arabia.

The people of Saudi Arabia I agree, but the government has been for the most part accommodating to our interests and concerns in the ME.

They know where the hand that feeds comes from.

[jmc1969]

So does all the blocks in Iraq except for the Sadrists.

That said I believe the Saudi royal family would be easier to overthrow then the democratic system we have set up in Iraq.

[EGPWS]

Does that mean they'll rebury the Mig-29's in the desert?

If we are blessed enough, they will sell the '29's to Iran so that perhaps we can use them for target practice. ; )

[EGPWS]

That said I believe the Saudi royal family would be easier to overthrow then the democratic system we have set up in Iraq.

Well said, me thinks we are on the same wavelength.

A taste of Democracy can do wonders to the mindset of those who have never before had a chance to place it on the palate.

[elhombrelibre]

We never envisioned a very large Iraqi army either. Thanks to the so-called insurgents and Iran and Syria's interventions the Iraqis will have a much bigger army than was originally planned for. I know this one for a fact. Thanks for the ping.

[jmc1969]

Bremer didn't even envision an Iraqi Army period.

Bremer wanted a small Iraqi police force and a very small about 30,000 strong Iraqi National Guard.

[elhombrelibre]

Yeah, now they're close to 300,000, I believe. But I don't think the MSM ever mentions that.

[elhombrelibre]

One thing the "pull out now" crowd doesn't realize is the Iraqis have no logistics system without us. Pull out now and they'll be out of all supply classes in no time. Then our experts will see the Civil War they've been cheering for as the army crumbles due to no Class V.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the ping. I don't know who has added "warwithiran" to the keywords, but that's apropos. :')