Robert Scales Quotes
They're using the psychological instrument to collapse [the enemy's] will through intimidation and the creation in his mind of inevitable defeat. 
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Psychological | Instrument | Collapse | Intimidation | Creation |
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One of the surest signs of our sincerity would be to withdraw a few brigades... It would convince the nations in the region that we're not there to stay, not an occupation power. Second is the notice to the Iraq government that they're going to have to start shouldering more responsibility, that our presence there is not infinite.
- Robert Scales
[Baghdad would seem particularly vulnerable to such a wait-it-out strategy. It is not even close to being self-sufficient. If U.S. troops cut off the supply of water, food, electricity and communications, civilians would no doubt quickly begin fleeing to the safety of refugee camps set up outside the cordon. The U.S. military could wait for the white flag of surrender to flutter outside the range of most of Saddam's weapons. Armed with intelligence gleaned from fleeing refugees, the Americans could attack key targets inside the city with long-range weapons. Such a siege could help nurture one prized U.S. goal: Saddam's falling at the hands of his own people.] Baghdad is one of those classic cities that happen to contain all the kindling necessary to spark a revolt... You'd have the ruling elite and the army cheek by jowl with the people, who despise both the elite and the army.
- Robert Scales