[Allegra]

these military gains must be cemented with regional and global diplomacy, political reconciliation, and economic recovery --

Today's tactical gains in Iraq -- while a necessary pre-condition for political reconciliation -- will crumble without a deliberate and comprehensive strategy.

We, the transition teams are already heavily engaged in that. Strategy is already developed and being implemented.

And the Iraqis are coming right along.

Sorry, libs. :-)

[Grimmy]

If it took longer to implement than it takes to heat up a bag of microwave popcorn, then it was obviously all screwed up by total incompetents and can never be salvaged....

at least according to those who willingly bend over to be punked by those who preach our defeat.

PS. Thanks for doing what you do. Civilian contractors don’t get near the respect they should.

[gov_bean_ counter]

IMO, the Iraqi government is being built from the ground up. At the local level people are working hard to make things happen. What is going on in Baghdad today could be largely irrelevant a year from now. The names and faces of the national government will change because the grass roots will demand it.

The Iraqi people have tasted freedom in sufficient amounts now to know they don't want to go back to the old way.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for this post, Allegra and thanks again for what you do, that sounds very encouraging.