Cobra II, by Michael Gordon
1/25/07
The story of the Iraq Invasion from the concept phase though the establishment of CPA. It is a thorough accounting of the interactions between SECDEF and the CENTCOM CDR and on down to the CFLCC CDR (McKeeran) and then to the V Army CDR (LTG Wallace). Initially the focus is on the decision to send around 100,000 troops down form the Army suggested 500,000 troops. It focuses on SECDEF’s desire to keep the force super lean and “transformed.” Once the invasion begins it sights the lack of intel and the suspected enemy surrender. The realities included the feddeyeen guerrilla style fighting. We also see a bit of under prepared SOF and CIA folks. Throughout the book the failure to plan for “Phase VI” the peace, is criticized. This is highlighted when the choice to put Bremer into office is discussed, he has no M.E. background and his decision to fire the Iraqi army is judged harshly. Most interesting is some of the reports from captured Iraqi forces that show how U.S. intel simply got things wrong.
