Question for you..if I may...US combat troops/security forces, in this PC era, and with a multitude of media types, all with cell phones and cameras, have to adhere to rigid rules as to how they can, well “handle” suspected terrorists in Iraq. I’ve long thought that the bad guys can only be wiped out when the Iraqis have primary responsibility fro handling their internal security, and can do so withOUT US and international media scrutiny..
Excellent point and something we've all discussed since back in '04 when our troops started training their troops. When the Iraqis can unleash their own brand of hell on the terrorists without being bound by PC crap, they just might be able to pull it off. They did a pretty good job working alongside our troops to quell the Sadr uprising in the spring of '08.
Our worry though, is Iran. Those bastards are licking their chops at the prospect of the continued drawdown through the end of next year. And their Sadr loyalists are infiltrating the Iraqi Army and police forces some. The good ones are catching a lot of them, but it it's still a concern. The Iranian scumbags have recently begun launching rockets at the US bases again - probably in preparation for this turnover tomorrow.
So, at this point, the future is murky.
And I fully blame the Democrats for that. Things were moving along at a great clip by '08, but have begun faltering lately.
I hope and pray Iraq is able to stand on its own now. And most of them want to.