Posted on 11/21/2007 6:13:06 PM PST by RDTF
Violence in Iraq has fallen at a rate that has surprised military commanders and even one of the architects of the “surge” that boosted US troop numbers in the country this year, according to figures gathered by the US.
The figures show the numbers of suicide attacks, roadside bombings, mortar and other attacks on US forces and on the Iraqi population have more than halved since 30,000 extra troops in June.
The military attributes the decline to the surge, the spread of local ceasefire deals across Iraq, a ceasefire by radical Shia militias and an improvement in the Iraqi security forces.
Jack Keane, the former army general who helped persuade George W. Bush, US president, to increase troop numbers in Iraq, said the decrease in violence was “phenomenal” and had occurred far faster than he had expected.
“When you understand you are dealing with the complexity of a counter-insurgency operation which can take years to resolve, to have this dramatic a success in a short period of time, it’s unprecedented,” he said.
The US military says the number of civilian deaths has also fallen 60 per cent since the surge took effect, with a drop of 75 per cent in Baghdad. According to icasualties.org, the average monthly US death toll dropped from 96 for the first half of 2007 to 66 in the past four months. The average monthly death toll for Iraqi civilians and security forces has dropped from 2,157 to 1,223 in the same period
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
I’m not so sure that doing the surge earlier would have had the same result. The Iraqi people had to be ready to do their part and I don’t know that they would have been before now.
Counterinsurgency is not often solved by more boots, which may end up being merely more targets.
Kindof imponderable at this point. But I’m happy to see that things are turning around.
I’m glad that posted twice!!
I like that idea...
Detroit is jealous
but, a close approximation of the image with your tag line sounds like a great idea.
thanks!
I drive thru northern VA and see signs in people’s yards that just say ‘impeach him’ and it makes me furious. Obviously they feel safe dispaying that at their home.
Would love something as obnoxious - yes...hmmm maybe as a sign.
dispaying=displaying
Just remember ...Truman had lower poll ratings than Bush has.
This of course means that Benedict Murtha will hold a press conference to take back every treasonous thing he has said about the war. /sarc
they would be great t shirts, problem is, it is getting cold for fall and winter now in USA! (maybe good for at the sports club, whatever)....
And don't forget Afghanistan ... the liberal media is now saying we are losing there because the U.S. has been preoccupied with Iraq. The Taliban are staging a re-emergence ... don'tcha know!
or long sleeved ones
now your thinkin!
anyone would like such a pat on the back.
It has worked. It is working. And, we will be able to transfer control to the Iraqi military in short order.
Only if the U.S. Congress quits the funding fights.
This is not about a GWB legacy. This is a war that we are involved in right now. It will continue beyond 2008.
The idiots in congress need to realize this.
It is not about Bush.
VICTORY will be declared in March 2008.
I’m sorry but I believe you are about 90% wrong. Why do I think this? Because 90% of the population of any country in the world never thinks to the depth you have dispalyed. These people live their lives in reaction to events never taking into consideration that they could steer onto a different coarse.
Of the remaining 10%, perhaps 20% may come to a similar conclusion as yours. The remainder with have 4 or 5 different theories.
Her Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays are now totally ruined...
Good news from Iraq really hurts poor ol' Nancy...
News at 11...
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