Arming the SOI

General Petraeus says he wants to clear up a misconception, arguing "we don't arm any of these Sons of Iraq." This seems to basically be true. But they're still armed groups that we give money to -- money which can be spent to buy weapons. It's kind of a distinction without a difference. Petraeus argues that it's money well spent that saves us cash in terms of vehicles and equipment destroyed and (of course) in terms of lives lost. That makes perfect sense to me, but reducing casualty rates isn't a real success in any kind of strategic terms -- leaving Iraq would achieve those goals easily enough.

Meanwhile, unfortunately every time I hear the phrase "sons of Iraq" I think of the "Sons of Batman" from The Dark Knight Returns. I assume, though, that it's not a deliberate reference.

Comments

Meanwhile, unfortunately every time I hear the phrase "sons of Iraq" I think of the "Sons of Batman" from The Dark Knight Returns.

I have been making the same association. I am glad I'm not the only one!

Posted by roboticghost | April 8, 2008 4:19 PM

Meanwhile, unfortunately every time I hear the phrase "sons of Iraq" I think of the "Sons of Batman" from The Dark Knight Returns.

-I think it's more the 'sons of Liberty' from the American Revolution

Posted by craig | April 8, 2008 4:22 PM

I always think of Sons of Italy.

Posted by blah | April 8, 2008 4:24 PM

http://www.osia.org/

Posted by blah | April 8, 2008 4:27 PM

Good luck trying Petraeus's argument if you are ever on the wrong end of a material support for terrorism prosecution--you will get to hear your federal prosecutor explain all about the fungibility of cash.

Posted by DTM | April 8, 2008 4:40 PM

"Sons of the Desert"

http://imdb.com/title/tt0024601/

This is another fine mess you've gotten us into.

Posted by Jeffrey Davis | April 8, 2008 4:49 PM

I always thought the name was bad too. We should just stick with Sahwa. But don't ask me how the economy works.

Posted by LT Nixon | April 8, 2008 4:52 PM

Meanwhile, unfortunately every time I hear the phrase "sons of Iraq" I think of the "Sons of Batman" from The Dark Knight Returns.

I think of the Sons of Liberty and the American Revolution/fight to be free from an imperialist power. I somehow doubt that's what they're trying to convey, either.

Posted by mellens | April 8, 2008 5:02 PM

AQI is DEAD. AQI is HISTORY. THIS is the mark of the future. Baghdad belongs to IRAQ.

Do not expect any further STATEMENTS. The SONS OF IRAQ do not TALK. We ACT. Let Baghdad's criminals BEWARE. They are about to enter HELL.

Posted by Sean T. Collins | April 8, 2008 5:10 PM

But they're still armed groups that we give money to -- money which can be spent to buy weapons.

"$20 can buy many peanuts!"
"Explain how."
"Money can be exchanged for goods and services."
"Woohoo!"

Posted by Gabriel | April 8, 2008 5:18 PM

Re "Meanwhile, unfortunately every time I hear the phrase "sons of Iraq" I think of the "Sons of Batman" from The Dark Knight Returns"
---------
I think of "Guardians of the Cedars" as a future evolution.

Posted by Don Williams | April 8, 2008 5:58 PM

Well I guess it's a good thing they aren't arming the insurgency. That is what the Reagan administration did with Islamic fighters in Afghanistan.

Arming or training a dangerous enemy of your enemy is a very bad idea, unless you're forced by the circumstances (like helping the Soviet Union in WWII). To do it in a war-by-choice is a very bad idea. The enemy will turn against you.

Posted by Bengt Larsson | April 8, 2008 7:29 PM

DTM is right.

While the Bushies try to explain how downloading MP3's "funds terrorism", they then try to explain that a full on welfare program for insurgents to the tune of $300/month DOESN'T?

You can't make this stuff up, folks.

Anybody who can't see that Petraeus is a complete Bush sock puppet from this sort of argument is a clueless idiot on a par with Al and Ford.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | April 8, 2008 9:12 PM

AQI is DEAD. AQI is HISTORY. THIS is the mark of the future. Baghdad belongs to IRAQ.
Do not expect any further STATEMENTS. The SONS OF IRAQ do not TALK. We ACT. Let Baghdad's criminals BEWARE. They are about to enter HELL.

Ah, Sean T., you made me do a spit take with my Liberty Ale.

The Sons of Iraq don't shiv.

Posted by samba00 | April 8, 2008 11:35 PM

How is...

Petraeus argues that it's money well spent that saves us cash in terms of vehicles and equipment destroyed and (of course) in terms of lives lost. That makes perfect sense to me...

any different than...

Louis the Knife argues that it's protection money well spent that saves us cash in terms of "preventing accidents" and (of course) in terms of lives lost. That makes perfect sense to me...

???

Posted by joejoejoe | April 9, 2008 12:23 AM