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By Bill Roggio There has been much debate in the past on the lack of an effective strategy to fight the insurgency in Iraq. In the September/October edition of Foreign Affairs, Andrew Krepinevich argues that to win, the U.S. must fight using an “oil spot” strategy, which is one of securing major cities, and working your way to the outlying areas, slowing gaining control of the region and establishing law and order. Two days ago, Pamela Hess reported that the oil spot strategy (or “ink blot” in her article) is working effectively in Fallujah. Yesterday, Col. H. R. McMaster, the commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, reports the oil spot strategy is being executed in Tal Afar.
The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment has been stationed in the Tal Afar region since this spring. Col. McMaster provides an instructive overview of the past and current operations. The effort to retake Tal Afar actually began May 1, when U.S. and Iraqi units reentered the city. Col. McMaster describes the ensuing deadly game of chess that ensued as Coalition and insurgent forces reacted to changes in each other’s tactics. Each attempt by the insurgency to engage Coalition forces in open combat ended in the defeat of the attacking insurgent force. This drove the insurgency underground, and made them fight using subterfuge. Local intelligence was key to the success in countering the harassment fire, and explains the remarkably low casualties of U.S. forces while conducting over four months of continuous operations in an urban environment.
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