Is The White House Rushing The Mosul Military Offensive To Influence The U.S. Presidential Election?

Washington Times: Troops fear Obama rushing Mosul offensive to influence election

Some U.S. officers in Baghdad believe the Obama administration is rushing plans for a Mosul offensive so it takes place before the November presidential election, a retired general says.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero said his contacts in Baghdad have relayed the concerns to him, fearing there is now an “artificial timeline” for what promises to be by far the toughest battle in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq.

Iraqi Security Forces, which has made strides since the U.S.-led coalition began retraining its troops, may not be sufficiently prepared for a rushed operation. The troops face the monumental task of capturing a city of almost 2 million citizens and up to 10,000 Islamic State fighters and their booby traps.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I am sure that there may be a few political operatives in the White House who may want an accelerated offensive plan .... but this is playing with fire. This offensive could end up as a disaster .... making a mockery of President Obama's war strategy against the Islamic State, and impacting Democrat chances in the November elections. After-all .... the Islamic State has had months to prepare for this offensive .... Islamic State braces for imminent Iraqi siege to retake Mosul (USA Today) ... and any fighting will be long and bloody. Adding to the confusion, the Kurds who have been doing the lion share of the fighting around Mosul do not believe that the Iraqi Army will be ready until later this year to participate in such an attack .... Exclusive: Kurdish PM Says Mosul Operation Still in ‘Planning Stage’ (VOA). What is also not helping the situation is this .... Shiite militia warns against Peshmerga participation in Mosul offensive (RUDAW).