In the history of warfare, it has always been indirect fire that has wielded terror over the walls of fortified cities. Whether it was scores of arrows flying over the walls, catapults launching balls of fire, or those same catapults throwing large stones to degrade heavily fortified walls — the precursor to modern-day artillery – indirect fire has always been used against built-up areas to reduce and instill terror in the occupants behind the walls. And so it has been through the years — and as a professional artillery officer, I dutifully studied the effective use of artillery.

So what is happening now in our modern day? Some say ISIS doesn’t have the wherewithal to “sack” Baghdad — but the question is, do they have to?

MORE: http://allenbwest.com/2014/10/quasi-military-operation-isis-farce-oh-way-losing/