I believe the bomber simply loaded a large truck with explosives and old shells, parked on the span & blew it up.
Bridges are strategic assets. They should be guarded fulltime. Trucks should be pulled aside and checked before crossing. The fact is, including the surge, the US has half the forces in place that it needs to control the situation.
I can’t believe Petraeus has not recommended sending much more but he’s probably been told not to formally “ask” for more to allow Bush deniability when it all falls apart.
This war will not be won if GW keeps fighting it like Vietnam; doing just enough not to lose. I doubt he has the will to change in the short time left him. He’s hoping the Iraqi players will finally quell the in-fighting and stand together against AQI.
He’ll probably be disappointed. The safe bet is to expect Arabs to do the wrong thing.
