corrente

In the middle of a depressing NYT article about the short-lived "hearts and minds" approach to pacifying Iraq, we find out that our military has mistakenly mistook a Monty Python sketch for a counterinsurgency strategy:

"You have to understand the Arab mind," Capt. Todd Brown, a company commander with the Fourth Infantry Division, said as he stood outside the gates of Abu Hishma. "The only thing they understand is force — force, pride and saving face."

I bet the Iraqis didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition:

Ximinez: NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise....

The Crusades, on the other hand....

Seriously, how sad is it to read that the U.S. is studying Israeli tactics in the West Bank? There's a template for success. What next--Gen. George Custer on the importance of the element of surprise?