I'm glad to see that he learned from LBJ's and Jimmy Carter's mistakes when it came to micromanaging operations in the field.It's a little too early in the game to determine how Bush compares to America's other wartime presidents, but experts say the first-term Texan has picked up a few lessons from his predecessors.
For one, he knows better than to try to micromanage the war. Bush ordered U.S. military commanders to target Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the first air strikes of the war, but has since left it to them to decide on a second attack if an opportunity presents itself. He gave the go-ahead to strike on March 19, but left it to the military leaders to decide on the time and place for that first attack.
Those loose rules of engagement are typical of the way Bush manages war, aides say: He makes the big political decisions, gives the thumbs up or down to large-scale battlefield strategies, but leaves the precise combat tactics to the military experts.
I don't think the policy is tantamount to picking targets.He also nags his generals to make sure they have the materials they need to win and are providing the humanitarian supplies to needy Iraqis.
The last question is asked at nearly every gathering of the Iraq war council. Aides say it reflects America's altruism, but critics wonder whether Bush's rush to flood Iraq with food, water and medicine could complicate the military mission.
In what could be considered the modern way to run a war, it would seem, Bush has ordered his generals to take great care to avoid civilian casualties. That may save lives, but historian John Mueller at Ohio State University, said the policy is tantamount to picking targets for the military.
It's a policy decision that is properly taken at NCA level.
If the field commanders think it's a mistake, they certainly can voice their opinions to their superiors.
Anyway, it's nice to see that GWB isn't trying to do everything himself.
