"(CBS) The U.S. military is sending advisers down to Basra to help the Iraqi army coordinate an operation which American officers say was "put together on the fly" and has degenerated into a stalemate.
These officers complain Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki acted "impulsively" in ordering an offensive his army was not prepared to conduct, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.
The Iraqis didn't ask permission, they just went, which seems to have caught President Bush by surprise.
"You know, I'm not exactly sure what triggered the prime minister's response, but nevertheless he made the decision to move and we'll help him," Mr. Bush said. "
