Don't look now

[Dukes]

From the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...053101927.html


June 1, 2008 - There's been a relative lull in news coverage and debate about Iraq in recent weeks -- which is odd, because May could turn out to have been one of the most important months of the war. While Washington's attention has been fixed elsewhere, military analysts have watched with astonishment as the Iraqi government and army have gained control for the first time of the port city of Basra and the sprawling Baghdad neighborhood of Sadr City, routing the Shiite militias that have ruled them for years and sending key militants scurrying to Iran. At the same time, Iraqi and U.S. forces have pushed forward with a long-promised offensive in Mosul, the last urban refuge of al-Qaeda. So many of its leaders have now been captured or killed that U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, renowned for his cautious assessments, said that the terrorists have "never been closer to defeat than they are now."

Iraq passed a turning point last fall when the U.S. counterinsurgency campaign launched in early 2007 produced a dramatic drop in violence and quelled the incipient sectarian war between Sunnis and Shiites. Now, another tipping point may be near, one that sees the Iraqi government and army restoring order in almost all of the country, dispersing both rival militias and the Iranian-trained "special groups" that have used them as cover to wage war against Americans. It is -- of course -- too early to celebrate; though now in disarray, the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr could still regroup, and Iran will almost certainly seek to stir up new violence before the U.S. and Iraqi elections this fall. Still, the rapidly improving conditions should allow U.S. commanders to make some welcome adjustments -- and it ought to mandate an already-overdue rethinking by the "this-war-is-lost" caucus in Washington, including Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Gen. David H. Petraeus signaled one adjustment in recent testimony to Congress, saying that he would probably recommend troop reductions in the fall going beyond the ongoing pullback of the five "surge" brigades deployed last year. Gen. Petraeus pointed out that attacks in Iraq hit a four-year low in mid-May and that Iraqi forces were finally taking the lead in combat and on multiple fronts at once -- something that was inconceivable a year ago. As a result the Iraqi government of Nouri al-Maliki now has "unparalleled" public support, as Gen. Petraeus put it, and U.S. casualties are dropping sharply. Eighteen American soldiers died in May, the lowest total of the war and an 86 percent drop from the 126 who died in May 2007.

If the positive trends continue, proponents of withdrawing most U.S. troops, such as Mr. Obama, might be able to responsibly carry out further pullouts next year. Still, the likely Democratic nominee needs a plan for Iraq based on sustaining an improving situation, rather than abandoning a failed enterprise. That will mean tying withdrawals to the evolution of the Iraqi army and government, rather than an arbitrary timetable; Iraq's 2009 elections will be crucial. It also should mean providing enough troops and air power to continue backing up Iraqi army operations such as those in Basra and Sadr City. When Mr. Obama floated his strategy for Iraq last year, the United States appeared doomed to defeat. Now he needs a plan for success.

[Spider]

good news and bout damn time ...........

[Spider]

But you righties shouldnt be excited .After all if Bush had his way Rumsfeld would still be calling the Shots ....It was the Dems that called for Rumsfeld to get **** canned and it was the Dems that approved of Petraius . so this is clearly the work of Dems fixing yet another republican **** up ......

[Spider]

Hat tip to the Dems for`taking action and fixing Iraq

[Rigs11]

Partisanship aside, this is good news for all americans.

[Dukes]

Yes it is good news for all Americans. The sooner progress is made and things are running smoothly the quicker the troops come home. Unless you're blinded by hatred for Bush and want failure.

[Rigs11]

Originally Posted by Dukes

Yes it is good news for all Americans. The sooner progress is made and things are running smoothly the quicker the troops come home. Unless you're blinded by hatred for Bush and want failure.

See there you go bringing your bs into the thread.Bush has facked up this country royally.From the economy to the war.You'r blind hatred argument is just a Limbaugh talking point. Nothing more.I guess the 70 % of the american public just have blinded hatred huh?

[cutthemdown]

yep really good news. Liberals will have to say it's all a lie though or they will look bad. Spider is right though the Democrats who voted for the war do deserve some of the credit. They made a tough tough decision and even though they backtracked on it when things got tough in the end the dems first resposnse was the right one.

Obama however needs Iraq to be bad because he did not vote for it. He needs for the election to get here fast before news of how well Iraq is going makes it to the people. The liberal media loved reporting dead american troops but not so much when the war goes well.

[Dudeskey]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

yep really good news. Liberals will have to say it's all a lie though or they will look bad. Spider is right though the Democrats who voted for the war do deserve some of the credit. They made a tough tough decision and even though they backtracked on it when things got tough in the end the dems first resposnse was the right one.

Obama however needs Iraq to be bad because he did not vote for it. He needs for the election to get here fast before news of how well Iraq is going makes it to the people. The liberal media loved reporting dead american troops but not so much when the war goes well.

I seriously doubt Obama needs Iraq to be in shambles... Our sagging economy will be enough to keep McCain on the defensive- he has nothing else to run on but national security and the usual "be afraid, be very afraid" rhetoric.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Dudeskey

I seriously doubt Obama needs Iraq to be in shambles... Our sagging economy will be enough to keep McCain on the defensive- he has nothing else to run on but national security and the usual "be afraid, be very afraid" rhetoric.

yes but if Obama wins and Iraq at that point is looking pretty good what will he do? Will he pull out and risk Iraq descending back into chaos or will he backtrack and say the situation in Iraq has changed?

I also have not heard anything from McCain that suggests I should be afraid. Vigilant and aware is not being afraid. If anything it's dems that suggest if Republicans elected we should be afraid the world will hate us and more terrorists will get recruited. The Republicans are the ones that say fear not because we can be safe.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Dudeskey

I seriously doubt Obama needs Iraq to be in shambles... Our sagging economy will be enough to keep McCain on the defensive- he has nothing else to run on but national security and the usual "be afraid, be very afraid" rhetoric.

I agree in that Americans care more about there own financial situation then they do anything else including troops deaths and national security. Sad but true. Obama's message is to raise taxes though how is that going to get me more money?

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Rigs11

Partisanship aside, this is good news for all americans.

It really is because regardless of who gets elected we need Iraq to not be a total civil war zone. For one if we left Iraq to the Shia the Saudis would then have to get involved to help the sunni. Turkey would go crazy in the kurdish areas and things would be a total mess.

If Iraq's govt gets the military going then we won't have to worry about those outside influences so much and we can get out. I would love to see an Iraqi pullout that leaves the country in the hands of a govt with enough power to fight its own battles. That would be a huge victory for us all.

[Dudeskey]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

I agree in that Americans care more about there own financial situation then they do anything else including troops deaths and national security. Sad but true. Obama's message is to raise taxes though how is that going to get me more money?

It doesn't, but then there's uncle sam's credit card... There are going to be some hard choices to make whether it be cut spending, raise taxes, earmarks or all the above. Washington seemingly acted like a 20 year old with his first credit card, ran it up without thinking about tomorrow... and now its tomorrow.

[Hotrod]

We need to hurry and finish up in Iraq so we can move on to Iran/Syria then N. Korea......the work never ends.

[Bronco Jamus]

Originally Posted by Dudeskey

I seriously doubt Obama needs Iraq to be in shambles... Our sagging economy will be enough to keep McCain on the defensive- he has nothing else to run on but national security and the usual "be afraid, be very afraid" rhetoric.

Obama was in favor of the war in 04.

[The Lone Bolt]

BUSH KOOL-AID LIES LIES LIES CORPORATE-OWNED MEDIA PROPAGANDA GENERAL "BETRAY-US" COOKING THE BOOKS BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!


Just thought I'd save you the trouble LABF!

[Spider]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

I agree in that Americans care more about there own financial situation then they do anything else including troops deaths and national security. Sad but true. Obama's message is to raise taxes though how is that going to get me more money?

Obama Raising Taxes is a myth , I went and looked for myself , http://www.ontheissues.org/Economic/...Tax_Reform.htm
People like me get a break

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by The Lone Bolt

Just thought I'd save you the trouble LABF!

Where's the part where we just captured or killed al Qaeda's #2 man?

[Dudeskey]

Originally Posted by Bronco Jamus

Obama was in favor of the war in 04.

Yeah... We have an agreement w/ the Iraqi gov't... So even if he gets elected, a withdrawal in 18 months is basically a moot point

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

If Iraq's govt gets the military going then we won't have to worry about those outside influences so much and we can get out.

Are you serious?

[Spider]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

yep really good news. Liberals will have to say it's all a lie though or they will look bad. Spider is right though the Democrats who voted for the war do deserve some of the credit. They made a tough tough decision and even though they backtracked on it when things got tough in the end the dems first resposnse was the right one.

Obama however needs Iraq to be bad because he did not vote for it. He needs for the election to get here fast before news of how well Iraq is going makes it to the people. The liberal media loved reporting dead american troops but not so much when the war goes well.

No that isnt what I said , I said the Dems Fixed the situation in Iraq ..... Bush is the Decider and he will decide , and He decided Rumsfeld was the best man for the Job ........ Dems forced Rummy out , approved Petraous , and Iraq started getting Better ......... And it will only get better from here on out , the Dems know how to fix republican **** ups

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Spider

No that isnt what I said , I said the Dems Fixed the situation in Iraq ..... Bush is the Decider and he will decide , and He decided Rumsfeld was the best man for the Job ........ Dems forced Rummy out , approved Petraous , and Iraq started getting Better ......... And it will only get better from here on out , the Dems know how to fix republican **** ups

yes but Bush appointed Petreuas so he deserves some credit. I knew what you meant though I just took it one step further. Dems voted for the war also ya know?

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

We need to hurry and finish up in Iraq so we can move on to Iran/Syria then N. Korea......the work never ends.

you're worst then me I don't think we need war with those countries. Just finishing off iraq and not quitting will be enough to show our enemies to bargain. Don't make the mistake Saddam made appease America and prosper instead. But if we turn tail and run they won't care what we say they will see us as weak.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

yes but Bush appointed Petreuas so he deserves some credit. I knew what you meant though I just took it one step further. Dems voted for the war also ya know?

Thats ok I dont feel like fishing right now , after that post in the McCain Obama thread

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Dudeskey

Yeah... We have an agreement w/ the Iraqi gov't... So even if he gets elected, a withdrawal in 18 months is basically a moot point

We don't have an agreement with the Iraqi government. It fell through. The Iraqis cut off the discussion because they said the agreement didn't respect Iraqi soverignty.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25135814/