Fallujah The invasion of Fallujah has begun. 10,000 US Marines are set to move into a town that predator drones have now mapped extensively. 3,000 - 5,000 insurgents are believed to be waiting for them. They've had plenty of time to prepare -- the US elections were very helpful to their cause. Comparisons are being made to the last hardfought urban battle in the history of the Marines -- Hue city in Vietnam, during the Tet offensive.

What will happen? If this battle is decisive, we will win. The guerilla force will not be victorious in pitched (albeit urban) battle agains the US Marines. But if this battle is not decisive, if the insurgents melt away, that will certainly bode ill for our future in Iraq.

Ironically, higher casualty figures will be "better" news, only because it means real combat is happening, and we are winning. If CNN starts to say "resistance light" and "Marines sweep in and easily take control..." that says very bad things about our on-the-ground intel as well as our ability to force them to fight directly (instead of ambushing us on the highways).

I know the Marines will do a good job. I just hope they get the chance to finish it.
  ¶ 10:07 AM