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| Iraq |
| Paradox for Petraeus |
| 2007-12-21 |
On the editorial page of today's WaPo, just above Krauthammer's editorial about the Axis of Evil. In the WaPo! Merry Christmas! BAGHDAD -- Gen. David Petraeus has an enviable problem as he ponders his next report to Congress about the U.S. mission in Iraq. His military surge has been so successful in reducing violence that some officials -- at the Pentagon and the State Department, not to mention in the Democratic Congress -- are wondering whether Petraeus can accelerate his timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops.The Dems'd love that! Would they take credit? |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #5 WTF, as far as the Foggy Bottom goes, you hope in vain. Sorry. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-12-21 20:25 |
| #4 Sorry to inject a little pessimism into all of this. I really support whats going on with our troop build-up / change of tactics in Iraq. However, the next step is the 'diplomatic surge'. I'm skeptical about diplomacy accomplishing any good. This is the State Department we're talking about, right? The same stripped-pants brigade that whined like little babies when Rice suggested they be cycled into Iraq as part of their normal duties. I doubt their hearts (if they have any) are in the venture of success in Iraq. I may be wrong - I hope I am. |
| Posted by: WTF 2007-12-21 20:13 |
| #3 There is a good chance that Iraq is going to dominate the region economically and militarily. I thought that was the whole idea all along, did I miss something here? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-12-21 19:53 |
| #2 I wonder how many seconds it will take the Iraqis to realize that a Status of Forces agreement with the US can be hugely profitable to them. Not only will it ensure that their military has the highest possible readiness and muscle tone; but also that Iraq could very well be a de facto part of NATO, insofar as economic and trade benefits. Iraq might even be persuaded to send some of its better units on international missions, such as peacekeeping operations in Muslim regions. For example, one brigade of Iraq soldiers sent to Lebanon would cool the place mightily. The Syrians and Hezbollah wouldn't dare mess with them, and they would probably get along fine with the Israelis, as well. There is a good chance that Iraq is going to dominate the region economically and militarily. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-12-21 19:19 |
| #1 Whoops! I thought I changed that to "Opinion" so it'd be close to the Krauthammer editorial it bordered in the WaPo. A little help, please? |
| Posted by: Bobby 2007-12-21 15:27 |