Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 8, 2008 6:13:54 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Protect or Prevent? Iraq Tanks Raise Heavy Issues

Posted Dec 27, 07 3:40 AM CST in US 

(Newser) – A new heavily armored vehicle will better protect US soldiers in Iraq from roadside bombs, but possibly at the risk of jeopardizing the overall counter-insurgency strategy, the Los Angeles Times reports. The new equipment has ignited debate over whether it is better to protect soldiers from attack, or stop the attacks from happening in the first place.

Some 1,500 mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles have just been sent to Iraq and thousands more are on order. While soldiers are better protected inside the behemoths, the lumbering trucks lack the maneuverability often needed in Iraq battles. Even more importantly, argue counter-insurgency experts, soldiers inside the hulking vehicles will be unable to connect with local people, which is bound to have a negative impact on security.

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 19 Yanks Die in Worst Week of Year for US

    Apr 13, 08 5:24 AM CDT
    19 Yanks Die in Worst Week of Year for US The death of a US soldier in a roadside blast in Baghdad yesterday brought the death toll for US troops to 19 in a single week—the highest so far this year. Almost all of the deaths have been in the Iraqi capital, where US and Iraqi forces are battling the Mahdi Army. Troops are also fighting Sunni insurgents in northern Iraq, AP reports. More »

  • US Warning Shot Kills Iraqi Girl

    Mar 13, 08 5:30 AM CDT
    US Warning Shot Kills Iraqi Girl A warning shot fired by US soldiers killed a young Iraqi girl yesterday, AP reports. Troops in an area of Diyala province where several roadside bombs have recently been found fired a shot "near a suspicious woman who appeared to be signaling to someone while the soldiers were in the area," said a military spokesman. They later found the girl, who appeared to be 10 years old. More »

  • Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health

    Mar 7, 08 3:30 AM CST
    Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health Cutting the time soldiers have between tours of duty helped the Pentagon boost troop numbers in Iraq—but has taken a heavy toll on soldiers' mental health, Reuters reports. An Army survey found a steep rise in mental health problems among soldiers returning for their third or fourth combat tour, and experts say the troops are not getting enough time to recover . "Soldiers are not resetting entirely before they get back into theater," said the head of the Army's mental health advisory team. More »

  • Marines Demand Probe Into Armor Delay

    Feb 26, 08 4:48 AM CST
    Marines Demand Probe Into Armor Delay The US Marine Corps has asked the Department of Defense to investigate delays obtaining vehicles with blast-resistant armor for combat units in Iraq. An internal USMC memo claims the money needed for the vehicles, which could have cut deaths from roadside bombings by 50%, was diverted to other projects, reports Stars & Stripes.    More »

  • Confident Marines Cut 'Bombproof' Truck Orders

    Nov 30, 07 7:09 AM CST
    Confident Marines Cut 'Bombproof' Truck Orders The Marines are cutting orders of a nearly "bombproof" Hummer replacement from 3,700 to 2,225, reflecting a more peaceful Iraq and the success of the vehicle, reports the Christian Science Monitor. “Combine the reduction in attacks with the fact that we're not losing as many vehicles as we thought, and the Marines don’t need as many, said an official. More »

A Category I mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle, is driven on a test course during a media demonstration, Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The Marine Corps commander...   (Associated Press)
Mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP), produced by Force Protection, are loaded onto an airplane to be shipped to war zones, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at the Charleston Air Force Base in North...   (Associated Press)
Mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP), produced by Force Protection, are loaded onto an airplane to be shipped to war zones, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at the Charleston Air Force Base in North...   (Associated Press)
International Military and Government displayed their MaxxProTM Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle in Washington, D.C. Thursday. The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded the company several contracts...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

Iraq  • US military  • Pentagon  • roadside bomb  • military strategy  • MRAP



Today's Most Popular


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »