Here's an interview with Perle about what he thought would win the war:
Ken Adleman, in this article, said:
So according to Perle the regime would "collapse at the first whiff of gunpowder" and according to Adleman it would be a "cakewalk."
It's hard to tell if they were saying that just to sell the war, or if they really honestly believed it.
I don't think you're making too much of it, because he again emphasized this morning that it was Franks' plan.
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Perle : Secondly, Saddam is much weaker than we think he is. He's weaker militarily. We know he's got about a third of what he had in 1991. But it's a house of cards. He rules by fear because he knows there is no underlying support. Support for Saddam, including within his military organization, will collapse at the first whiff of gunpowder. ... James P. Rubin: So what would your guesstimate be of the level of effort that would be involved? Richard Perle: Well, I would be surprised if we need anything like the 200,000 figure that is sometimes discussed in the press. A much smaller force, principally special operations forces, but backed up by some regular units, should be sufficient. |
Ken Adleman, in this article, said:
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| I believe demolishing Hussein's military power and liberating Iraq would be a cakewalk. Let me give simple, responsible reasons: (1) It was a cakewalk last time; (2) they've become much weaker; (3) we've become much stronger; and (4) now we're playing for keeps |
So according to Perle the regime would "collapse at the first whiff of gunpowder" and according to Adleman it would be a "cakewalk."
It's hard to tell if they were saying that just to sell the war, or if they really honestly believed it.
Quote:
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Originally posted by mo: I was thrown by Rumsfeld's remarks the other day that the plan was General Franks' creation -- he emphasized it a couple of times in speaking with reporters after a meeting with Congressional leaders. I assume he was responding to potential criticism that the force numbers were not what military experts had said were necessary, but it came off sounding more as if he was trying to establish a little space between himself and Franks. I do concede it's probably a mistake to make too much of one remark from a man who is notoriously impatient with questions from reporters. |