The US military and the Iraqi government are currently caught in the grip of a strategic barrage. The strategic barrage, a method used by great generals across history, works like this:
- the attacker maneuvers its forces to seize critical territory in an enemy's rear zone (astride lines of communication and supply for example),
- it makes extensive defensive preparations to hold that territory (i.e. a hedgehog),
- which then forces the enemy to either make a series of hasty attacks (very costly) or a strategic retreat/surrender.
This method has been adapted by virtual states (a much more formal type of networked organization than a pure open source insurgency) like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Sadr's Mahdi Army to defeat their nation-state foes. Here's how:
- By default, the Mahdi army controls territory within the Iraq's rear zone -- Baghdad's and Basra's slums. Further, Sadr's militias have the popular support and resources necessary to create defensive hedgehogs using modern weapons and light infantry tactics. Extensive financial resources allow them to get advances weapons/training (Sadr's militia makes billions from smuggling etc.).
- They can turn this territory into a platform by which to attack the strategic interests of the state. In Baghdad, this translates into rocket/mortar attacks on the Green zone and US forward operating bases. In Basra, this means attacks on the oil export system. This puts a timer on the conflict. The longer the attacks go on, the worse the strategic position of the nation-state and its allies.
- The nation-state is either forced to attack the defensive position (a very costly option) or submit to the demands of the virtual state.