Maliki's government has failed so far to push through major laws demanded by the U.S. government as a means of promoting national reconciliation. These so-called benchmarks include laws governing oil resources and the reintegration of former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party into the government, and constitution al amendments to afford more influence to Sunnis.With each new day it becomes further apparent that the current Iraqi administration simply cannot govern the country. The Sunnis, who overwhelmingly boycotted the first round of elections, are not playing along. The Shiia are increasingly divided along factional lines. The Kurdish areas have witnessed a huge up-tick in violence, and rising tensions with Turkey.
Through it all, General Patraeus sees a heavy long-term U.S. presence. Forget about September, he tells us. That was never about anything more than filing a report. Mind you, we know that the Iraq war has been a boon for terrorist recruiting. That we have turned that country into an exporter of terrorism.
Perhaps it's time to re-define our mission in Iraq. Maybe we should, as Patraeus and the President so often do, simply focus on al-Qaida. Cordon off Diyala and Anbar provinces. Pull out of Baghdad and concentrate on Bin Laden's group rather than the ongoing civil war. Too simplistic? How do you tell al-Qaeda from the Sunni insurgents? Is there even really one umbrella al-Qaeda group anymore? Good questions. All that really seems clear is that we haven't seen significant progress in Iraq, especially on the political front. This was starkly illustrated by Patraeus's answer to the question: Would you like the surge to continue indefinitely?
"It depends on what the sense is for the prospects of achieving Iraq's constitution. I hope that we can put time back on the Washington clock. Al-Qaeda is keenly aware of the Washington clock. they are obviously going to have a surge of their own. You saw an example of this yesterday. They wanted to make sure that the headlines about the launch of the offensive don't create too much hope."The prospects for achieving Iraq's constitution? Clearly, the general is reading different publications than I am.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. The high brass is fairly safe in fortified Bagdad, and so they say, "Everything is going just peachy." But in the provinces, inter tribal struggles continue, and will continue forever. Bush can't even realize that he has led this country into a disaster. We have no reasons for being there, except perhaps oil, oil, oil. Spreading democracy? No way. Bush is destroying our democratic system at
home in the meantime. Let us rebuild our system at home.
Tom Edgar at 11:22AM on Jun 21st 2007
2. Just wondering if that arrogant "Texas Turd" ever looks in the mirror and asks himself.....How in the hell could I have screwed up this great nation and it's citizens? My answer is, you were born and had help from another idiot named Chaney!!
mdembree at 12:10PM on Jun 21st 2007
3. I fear that we mst hold ourselves respoonsible for allow this guy with SBS--Spoiled Brat Sysndrome to continue in office. I find Bush and Cheney (especially Cheney) much more dangerous than Iraqis. Get out, get out.
edgarte at 1:06PM on Jun 21st 2007
4. I am reading all this, the blog, the comments, daily news, day after day...
I am absolutely puzzled by the fact that the entire country does not think that there is anything wrong with the occupation. An occupation of another country with 23 million inhabitants is becoming a normal thing. Did you ever stop and think how we would feel, if tomorrow we found ourselves under occupation. I don't care who the occupier is, it makes no difference to me. My own mother could be spearheading the occupation, I would just as much despise it. A man was created to be free, as a bird. When you flood the country with military boots, then you keep adding, more boots, surge of boots..., How are they going to feel? I understand everything, every argument ranging from cheap oil to 9/11 and taking down the dictator Sadam. It is all fine. But, when all is said and done, it's not a problem to kill as many bad people as we want, the problem is to win. And the only way to WIN is if you are right IN THE FIRST PLACE. When you flood the country w/ boots and surge w/ more boots, with complete disregard of that, what that country, that people(s) think of your occupation, there is no way to win. It sounds sarcastic when you say - you are fighting for freedom w/ the occupation. It is the same as saying - I am killing some folks in order to liberate them. Our generals and politicians fly into that country, as they please. They tell their politicians what to do, what conditions they have to satisfy, or else.. We are immune w/ respect to any of their laws. There is nothing they could do to us, UNLESS THEY BECOME INSURGENCE/TERRORISTS! And in the same time, we are supposed to rely on their HELP in our effort to root out those that resist the occupation! I am looking the photo indicating large smoke rising from the best protected fortress in Iraq - The Green Zone, where the US and UK embassies are and Iraqi government offices are situated. With all our might, surveillance and air power, we cannot even prevent their bombardment of our embassy and Iraqi parliament! How much surge is needed to achieve that little goal? The answer lies in the fact that ONLY 6,000 IRAQI SOLDERS FIGHT ON THEIR OWN, w/o the US military lead/help. Ask yourself WHY? Is that because, the Iraqi army is that difficult to train? Oh, no, by no means. This is a highly sophisticated nation with one of oldest civilization pedigree. The answer is - THE OCCUPATION; everybody wants to be free. We should know a thing or two about freedom.
CPS at 2:06PM on Jun 21st 2007
5. I think we should have an on-line vote for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney??? What do you think?
Sinbad
sinbad at 5:06PM on Jun 24th 2007
6. What an injustice this nimrod has forced on the people of this country and the people of Iraq. We have not given anyone any hope of ever being able to put an end to this mess we call democracy. We have invited all who hate us to come take pot shots at our brave soldiers who are being used by our own administration to fight the in the wrong country insted of focusing on only Bin lauden we were sent to secure the oil. Do you think there is any posability we might use the new embasy for the Bush presidental libray it would be fitting.
efish at 3:42PM on Jun 21st 2007
7. Sinbad. We have the technology to directly elect our president, and even to vote on issues directly. Good idea. The guys who drew up our constitution has made it nearly to impeach and then remove a sitting president. It would take a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate now. All you need to do is amend the Constitution! I think you have a great idea, and the capacity to make it work.
Tom Edgar at 4:24PM on Jun 21st 2007
8. You little worm Bush, get our men out of that nightmare. It is A travisity that we went to A country that has been at war since before Jesus and do not know anything else. Other than oil, the only thing they can do is make RUGS. Come on get the hell OUT??????????????
Writer-Arthur at 5:54PM on Jun 21st 2007
9. This war yes it's a war, can never be won if we have to force Politically Correct orders on our troops.
New Rule 1- No guns on the streets. I can't walk down the street in my town with an RPG on my shoulder. Why is it OK in Iraq? Shoot everyone not in uniform with a weapon in their hands. NO questions, it doesn't matter who's tribe your in, or who your cousin you are. If you are armed and not in the military you get shot. If you are stupid enough to fire automatic weapons at a wedding celebration you deserve to die.
Rule 2- No car/truck keys
Driving is a priveledge. Allow only military and screened vehicles on the roads. Let the Jihadis load all the explosives they want on the back of a suicide donkey or camel. Let the rush a checkpoint with animal power.
Rule 3- Do not reward passivity. If you allow a bunch of fanatics to use your back yard as a mortar pit or rocket launch site- you house goes too. That is the price you pay for Not dropping the dime.
These three simple rules could make all the difference.
Tom Ainsworth at 6:21PM on Jun 21st 2007
10. What is the use in continuously calling Bush names? Anyone with any degree of common sense knows the damage this man (if you want to call him that) has done to our country and Iraq...not to mention his foreign policy with the rest of the world. Instead of admitting (like a man)that he has made a colossus error in Iraq, he continues to sacrifice American lives at an ever increasing rate. The Iraq situation will not end until the Bush administration is gone in Jan. 09, and all the war mongers have stuffed their pockets. What was JFK's famous quote: "Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you and Halliburton."
RKM at 7:01PM on Jun 21st 2007
11. A real puppet government would do whatever The U.S. demanded. Apparently we are not in control of the situation in Iraq militarily or politically. What kind of occupation is this?
Steve Bonomo at 8:22PM on Jun 21st 2007
12. As it has been pointed out, civil war is a way of life in the middle east for thousands of years--maybe more. We can't impose freedom and democracy by force and power. We can't remove Bush, because the Constitution is written in such away. It would take a two-thirds majority in the Senate to dump him. At best we had better get busy at the local level to take our government back, and soon/ These are dangerous times for our demeocracy.
Tom Edgar at 9:12PM on Jun 21st 2007
13. My son is in Iraq. I know everyone has an opinion on what should have or could been done. At this point all I'm asking is that you pray for my son and all the young men and woman who are there. Its so easy to get on a blog and complain sitting in the comfort of your homes. especially when you have no one in the game. It doesn't matter what you think at this point. What does matter is how you support the ones that have to be there doing a job that they may or may not support. Oh, and when and if they make it home show that you actually did care what these young men and woman have just gone thru.
swa at 12:47AM on Jun 24th 2007
14. Tom Edgar
I know it takes 2/3 of the congress to impeach the SOB.I just wondered how the people felt about the state of affaires in Iraq.Haven't we lost enough
of our young men&women? This is destined to be another Viet-Nam. Pople need to contact their congressmen to put more pressure on Bush to put an end to this MADDNESS.
Regards Sinbad
Ron Craft at 8:15AM on Jun 25th 2007