The siege of Baghdad?
John Keegan, the military historian, whom no one can call hysterical, or squeamish, fears a blockade of Baghdad will be necessary if the Republican Guard retreat into the city. If the Iraqis will not fight outside Baghdad, and it is one of the simplest military principles not to do what the enemy wants, then Gen Franks may have to organise a siege of the city... The trouble is that a close blockade would inevitably inflict hardship on the civilians as well as the soldiers. Indeed, Saddam would certainly make sure that his troops got the lion's share of whatever was going. Tough decisions at Baghdad gates [Daily Telegraph]
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