To the Point

US Military Strategy under Fire?

The Army-s lead field general says the US may be in for a longer war than predicted and, if US military leaders are encountering strong and sophisticated opposition, it-s no accident. Today-s Los Angeles Times reports that Saddam Hussein spent years studying US military performance in Vietnam and the art of playing to world opinion. Are the thousands of additional troops heading for Iraq needed to get the war back on track, or are current delays part of the original plans? We get both sides of the debate on military strategy, and learn whether US bombing of Iraq-s TV station violated the Geneva Convention, with military historians and strategists, defense analysts, and journalists on the scene and around the world. Making News: Lead General Admits War Going Differently than Planned Gen. William Wallace, the Army-s senior ground commander in Iraq, has admitted that "the enemy we're fighting is different from the one we'd war-gamed against." Also today, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld branded Syria-s shipment of military supplies into Iraq -a hostile act.- Brad Knickerbocker, defense correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, says both elements pose an important threat to coalition-s military edge. Reporter's Notebook: Richard Perle Resigns as Chair of Defense Policy Board Richard Perle, long-time influential Republican hawk, has resigned his chairmanship of the Defense Policy Board. Last week, business dealings were disclosed between Perle and a Saudi Arms dealer, and with Global Crossing, which needs Pentagon approval to be sold to Chinese investors. Mike Desch, professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, has more on the controversial Perle and the powerful military advisory board.