War games
By Wolf Blitzer
Wolf Blitzer Reports
DOHA, Qatar (CNN) -- War games. We all know what we are supposed to see: troops and heavy equipment in action, preparing for the real thing. But, here in Qatar, for what is emerging as the most important U.S. war game in years, you won't see any of that.
That's because this current exercise, called Operation Internal Look, is being conducted behind closed doors -- or tightly shut security fences, in this case -- with computers, video screens, and state-of-the-art telecommunications equipment. It was launched Monday morning.
Commanding Gen. Tommy Franks, the man in charge of putting a war plan against Iraq in place, will spend the next 10 days or so fine-tuning his ability to communicate with his troops in the region and other top military and civilian leaders back in the United States. In between, he's planning on traveling around the Persian Gulf region -- meeting with his troops and coalition partners, as he would need to do during a war.
Qatar built a huge air base, despite the fact that it has no significant air force. Its goal: If we build it, they -- meaning the Americans -- will come.
"It is in our interest to have strong relationships, to have powerful friends, powerful friends next to us," says Dr. Hassan Al-Ansari of the University of Qatar.
So the leadership of this tiny Persian Gulf state wants American protection, as do other states in the region. The U.S. military wants and needs their real estate -- not just for this war game, but in case there's the real thing.
