Posted on 06/14/2007 9:28:43 PM PDT by RWR8189
I recently returned from Iraq and four other countries in the Middle East, my first trip to the region since December. In the intervening five months, almost everything about the American war effort in Baghdad has changed, with a new coalition military commander, Gen. David Petraeus; a new U.S. ambassador, Ryan Crocker; the introduction, at last, of new troops; and most important of all, a bold, new counterinsurgency strategy.
The question of course is--is it working? Here in Washington, advocates of retreat insist with absolute certainty that it is not, seizing upon every suicide bombing and American casualty as proof positive that the U.S. has failed in Iraq, and that it is time to get out.
In Baghdad, however, discussions with the talented Americans responsible for leading this fight are more balanced, more hopeful and, above all, more strategic in their focus--fixated not just on the headline or loss of the day, but on the larger stakes in this struggle, beginning with who our enemies are in Iraq. The officials I met in Baghdad said that 90% of suicide bombings in Iraq today are the work of non-Iraqi, al Qaeda terrorists. In fact, al Qaeda's leaders have repeatedly said that Iraq is the central front of their global war against us. That is why it is nonsensical for anyone to claim that the war in Iraq can be separated from the war against al Qaeda--and why a U.S. pullout, under fire, would represent an epic victory for al Qaeda, as significant as their attacks on 9/11.
Some of my colleagues in Washington claim we can fight al Qaeda in Iraq while disengaging from the sectarian violence there. Not so, say our commanders in Baghdad, who point out that the crux of al Qaeda's strategy is to spark Iraqi civil war.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
Duncan Hunter writes articles of impeachment.
Now you’re off in nutterland!
LOL...You are so right, I just have a hard time thinking of him as an I. :-)
“Sometimes this guy makes more sense than the republicans”
I agree
The war in Iraq is a quagmire and an unmitigated disaster. Every 30 seconds, an Iraqi baby is impaled on a US bayonet. Who are you going to believe? A Vice Presidential has-been loser or Dan Rather? /sarc
Correct. It’s sad that nearly every dem has forgotten that our security is the most important part of their job on the Hill. There use to be many like Joe and Zell Miller but I believe the majority of them came over to the Repubs for this very reason. They might have been on the left when it came to social issues but our security came before anything else.
Gee...that’s a toughie. :-)
FYI there is a movement to get Lynn Cheney in the Senate, as a replacement to the GOP Senator who died.
In Wyoming it’s the rule that if a Senator dies the person who replaces them must be from the same party.
I’d pay cash money to see her sitting in the Senate.
Niiice.
The Surge is Working
A dem who gets it.
Pray for W and Our Troops
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
The officials I met in Baghdad said that 90% of suicide bombings in Iraq today are the work of non-Iraqi, al Qaeda terrorists. In fact, al Qaeda's leaders have repeatedly said that Iraq is the central front of their global war against us.
After reading his op-ed, he did a great job of being truthful as to the options in Iraq!
Lieberman understands the military effort, as well as he understands the huge threat of pulling out, or losing, this war.!
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