News about how Donald Rumsfeld opted for a war strategy of high-technology and small agile forces against the wishes of Pentagon has been discussed everywhere. Though both Rumsfled and US commander Gen. Franks denied that they were disagreements over the strategy, and despite many reassurances to the contrary from both the US and British side, it is quite clear that the coalition forces have stuttered in the first week of the campaign. Instead of shocking the enemy into submission, they have been stalled, over-stretched and dragged into street-to-street fighting by the Iraqis.

The battle for hearts and minds of the Iraqi is also getting more difficult as the war drags on not if unnecessary civilian casualties like this keep on happening. Seven women and children were killed by US soldiers because the van they drove did not stop after a warning shot was fired. They might be acting within the rules of engagement but they are scoring an own goal again for the benefit of Saddam Hussein. "It was the most horrible thing I've ever seen, and I hope I never see it again," quoted an army medic at the scene.

It is a cruel thing to happen. One could only wish it had been a bad April Fool's joke.