US reports ‘phenomenal’ drop in Iraq violence

FT ^ | Nov 21, 2007 | Stephen Fidler , Demetri Sevastopulo

[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-

[Always Right]

Boy this is huge news. After reporting every death for over a year, surely the media will report how Bush’s surge helped the problem.

[waimea.man]

Of course they have to add this to the bottom of the article:

While the military displays cautious optimism, however, some experts are less convinced. Anthony Cordesman, a defence expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the statistics did not capture the true picture of violence in Iraq.

Obviously Anthony Cordesman (whoever he is) is the real authority on these things... /sarc

[Leo Carpathian]

That should have been done loong time ago. Nothing new, move on.

Now the economy is baaaad, baaad, gas prices hiiiigh, hiiiigh, lotsa turkeys slottered, Bushes fault.

Doesn’t matter whassaaap, we are domed. Children, Hillary, Osabama hit hardest. Where is Rather Dan?

</sarky>

[rawcatslyentist]

I attribute it more to the unannounced closing of Syrias little atomic fun house of jihad!

They really DON'T have any choice!

[gov_bean_ counter]

I will not be happy until the captured Iraqi documents are put back in full view. The Dems demanded they be pulled from the internet for "security reasons". HA.

They were really worried that the names of enablers in their ranks would be exposed as Saddam was a meticulous record keeper. Pubbies, Dems, I don't care. I want names.

[Leo Carpathian]

Thank you brave troops, may God protect you and you come home soon VICTORIOUS and bring lotsa Iraqi oil to shut the rats for good!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[Gondring]

That should have been done loong time ago

AGREED!

I'm SOOOO glad we got Rumsfeld out of there and started listening to officers other than the Clintonian career hacks.

[Blue Highway]

Can someone send a memo to Pelosi, Reid and Biden please. Seems they are not aware there was a surge since early this summer, and more importantly we are winning. Their talking points seem to be from 2005/2006 before the surge. I just want them to get updated for their own benefit.

[Marine_Uncle]

What the good general failed to appreciate along with one hell of a lot of others, is that in this case a majority of Iraqi across the political/ethnic/sectarian divide where literally deceived into thinking the US would move in to take over their country.
Now they see this is not the case and they just may have so much oil across major provincial divides in Iraq that the west can help make them rich on, and with their own eyes have seen how compassionate our soldiers and Marines along with other Coalition forces are, that they woke up.
Many of them are facing the realities that their supposed holy men and local leaders deceived them.
The Coalition came to free them from tyranny and not enslave them. And now they see this is the real truth.
Good for them. They are awakening from their long nightmare.
Besides. Having new schools, clean water treatment plants, promised eventual full electrical power across all Iraq, not only in some privileged areas, security for all, adequate medical treatment for all, security for all, freedom of movement, and the vote without fearing losing one's head, surely must be making a permanent impression on the majority of them.
They see radical Islamic groups are their worst enemies.

[dhs12345]

He worked for John McCain, works for ABC News and has been a critic of the Iraq War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Cordesman

[goldstategop]

Mama Boss Pelosi and Dingy Harry are astounded the war hasn't been lost yet.

"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

[robomatik]

[robomatik]

[AmericanInTokyo]

Where is that disappointed Tom Daschle photo??

[Cementjungle]

Democrats’ translation: “It’s a total failure, we can’t possibly win!!!!”

[AmericanInTokyo]

Those would make GREAT T Shirts.

With "IT'S WORKING", right below, in smaller black letters.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

surely the media will report how Bush’s surge helped the problem.

Do you really believe that they will?

Have we seen this in a US Media statemet yet:

Road From Damascus ~~ Iraqis are voting with their feet by returning home after exile
Times (UK) ^ | November 21, 2007 | staff

[shield]

The Iraqis’ are FINALLY taking back their country. They’ve finally turned on the bad guys. The Iraqis’ have finally started healing from PTSD...shell shock...then al qaeda...Thank Our Lord...they’ve gotten it.

[hsalaw]

Anthony Cordesman, a defence expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the statistics did not capture the true picture of violence in Iraq.

Yes, and we should listen to this self-styled "expert" because he's right there on the ground and thus has first-hand knowledge of the conditions. NOT. He's somewhere in his self-absorbed navel-gazing ivory tower, pontificating from Mount Sanctimonious.