tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7029586443956556827.post2279044843972811641..comments2023-11-03T08:38:00.104-05:00Comments on House of Cards: Iraq Withdrawal: Clutching at StrawsTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243994948914787251noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7029586443956556827.post-51331577616590803382008-07-26T01:38:00.000-05:002008-07-26T01:38:00.000-05:00Quoting al-Dayni as you are (via WaPo, via Max Boo...Quoting al-Dayni as you are (via WaPo, via Max Boot, via Rush?) ignores other commanders who differ. But that's immaterial, as the Iraqis being ready wasn't part of my argument. <BR/><BR/>My contention is centered on two things: Iraqi sovereignty and the realities of the Iraqi political arena. <BR/><BR/>To the former, the US has to be careful not to treat Iraq as a protectorate or a colony, since the only remaining rationale for invasion and occupation is establishing a sovereign democracy in the Middle East. (Though the unstated goals of a strategic outpost and access to certain resources still exist to be sure.)<BR/><BR/>As to the politics, Iraq is a broken feudal system with different fiefdoms carved out by local leaders. The number of American troops could be tripled without addressing that reality. And although it is too often forgotten, a reduction in violence was only meant to be a vehicle to facilitate the true aim of the Surge, which was political reconciliation. <BR/><BR/>The battle surrounding provincial elections, which will likely be pushed into 2009 from the original goal of October, demonstrate that reality quite clearly. <BR/><BR/>If indeed you are asking me to commit to the Iraqi Army being strong or fully-trained, I will have to agree with you. But, like I said, that wasn't my argument. <BR/><BR/>(On a side note, I found it slightly humorous that Rush said al-Dayni was like General Shinseki to imply his "respect." Wasn't Shinseki the guy they pushed aside when he suggested they might want to think about post-war circumstances?)Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243994948914787251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7029586443956556827.post-57278976023140008962008-07-25T17:37:00.000-05:002008-07-25T17:37:00.000-05:00Maliki has been singing that the US should leave I...Maliki has been singing that the US should leave Iraq (supposedly because the Iraqi Army is ready) since he took office in May 2006. Until this late spring the Iraqi Army has proven that they are not ready for the American military to leave. Several respected Iraqi generals (including Brigadier General Bilal al-Dayni, commander of Iraqi troops in Basra) this past month have stated that the American presence is needed until 2018 or 20. As so often is the case, the politicans and military generals sing different tunes. America will leave when both the politicans and general agree it's time. Pop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com