[PsyOp]

"Bottom line we will be in Iraq for awhile."

I agree. Realisticaly, getting the Iraqi Security Forces to be able to go head-to-head with the insurgents on a regular basis without our support, or with minimal support, will take 4-6 years.

I heard recently that our military finally convinced the Iraqi interim government to let former, mid-level, Iraqi Army officers and NCOs to apply for the new security forces (after proper vetting). These guys are needed in order to accelerate the training pace.

[Wiseghy]

The problem, I've heard, is that they are drilled on the old soviet style methods and attitudes. It takes awhile for them to learn the more effective American methods that focus on individual initiative and delegation.