How desperate is al Qaeda-Iraq? You tell me:
As al Qaeda suffered greater and greater losses in Iraq, recruiting became a serious problem. In desperation, leaders were ordered to recruit whoever they could. This meant more women and more teenage males. Normally, al Qaeda does not like to employ adolescents. They are too inexperienced and unreliable. That combination gets everyone in trouble, and adult al Qaeda do not like to work with kids. But earlier this year, al Qaeda found that fewer and fewer adults were willing to join up. This was largely due to U.S. troops capturing several key al Qaeda leaders, and lots of membership records. Too many al Qaeda members were being arrested or killed, and recruiting became very difficult. So kids were hired for a lot of simple jobs, like placing roadside bombs, or guard duty. Turned out that these kids were more likely to run away, or just surrender, if confronted with Iraqi or American troops. As a result of that, nearly half the al Qaeda under arrest (950 of 2,000) are under 18.
But I thought going into Iraq was just going to make more, hardened, veteran terrorist to come terrorize us here at home!
UPDATE: Then again, don't get cocky.
There’s another benefit (for us) to Al Queda recruiting problems that doesn’t get mentioned much.
The constant need for new terrorists makes Al Queda MUCH more vulnerable to penetration.
Every terrorist we kill gives us another opportunity to replace an actual bad guy with a spy.
The meat-grinder cannot be denied. Look at German Army recruiting in 1944. When you are grabbing those under eighteen and putting them into the fight you are losing.
Just to pick a nit, Mikey, the Germans were actually running out of adult males, as opposed to Iraq, where they're just refusing to enlist.
...Which was Stephen's original point. ;)
On the other hand, desperation was what got us the Battle of the Bulge, so we really shouldn't get cocky.
"But I thought going into Iraq was just going to make more, hardened, veteran terrorist to come terrorize us here at home!"
Who said that?
Who said that?
Only every shrieking defeatist "you're making more teerrrroorrriistttssss!!!" Iraq-war critic.
It's a war of attrition... last man standing wins. We'd do well to ensure that "last man" is us.
all well and good to be cheery about Al Q in Iraq but terror will continue with non-Muslims stationed in Muslim countries. In fact, it is Iraquis and their militias who turned against Al Q because of killing of Muslims. But there is no Iraq govt in place and will not be and Am troops are doomed to stay there untill Congress says Enough. For those who want us to stay: volunteer to replace those on thrid tour there.
