When describing the incompetence of the Iraqis, Finkel chooses to cite the barrage of questions that occur in the mind of a typical soldier. For example, when the Iraqi security forces allow an EFP to explode that was clearly within their range of vision, Finkel rhetorically lists the queries likely to pop into a troop's mind: "Did they know the EFP [explosive formed penetrator] was there but not say anything because they were in partnership [with the insurgent]? Were they merely incompetent? Did they ever come running to help? No. Not ever. Not even once" (Finkel 85). Finkel's use of military terms like EFP (rather than simply say 'explosive' like a civilian might) shows his attempt to enter into the bitter, sarcastic mentality of a soldier. Instead of merely reporting that the Iraqis did nothing meaningful to protect their country, even though they were ostensibly being taught to do so...
[ View Full Essay]