US Unit Walks 'A Fine Line' in Iraqi Capital

Washington Post ^ | Feb 5 | Joshua Partlow

[lonestar67]

By Joshua Partlow. BAGHDAD, Feb. 5 -- The camouflaged American soldiers, weary from hours of struggling to talk with Iraqis during a patrol in eastern Baghdad, laughed with relief after an Iraqi army major's wife met them at her door.

[lonestar67]

I think this is a fascinating and significant example of the ongoing rhetorical war against our troops in Iraq. This article provides a minor mixture of troops believing in our mission but a majority of soldiers saying the troop surge is pointless. Vietnam metaphors and allusions are sprinkled in for good measure. This is tomorrow's front page Washington Post so the WP is going hard against the troop surge now.

For me, it is clear that our troops continue to win because:

1. Insurgents are leaving many areas of Bagdad 2. We continue to receive record levels of tips on bad guys in the area 3. Key leaders like Sadr are backing down to US pressure which is a significant point of humiliation in light of their past anti US rhetoric

[ClaireSolt]

It is impossible to judge the validity of these sketches or place them in p roper context.

[Valin]

"But soldiers in a task force from the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, who have patrolled Baghdad for months, say that trying to gain cooperation from Iraqi civilians is a thankless struggle."

Welcome to the wonderful world of counter-insurgency

[Bulldawg Fan]

You have to understand that the Post wants us to lose to make Bush look bad. An even trade in their minds.

As for soldiers going on the record to disagree with national policy, I think its time for the military shut some mouths and continue on with the mission. All these comments do is give the media ammunition to tell us the military disagrees with the President.