A "monumental achievement" for the ISF in Baghdad
What's this? MORE good news from Iraq?
By AcademicElephant Posted in War — Comments (3) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Just a quick footnote to Pilgrim's and lafleur's blogs from yesterday: We learn from Defenselink that Iraqi security forces have taken tactical control of Operation Fard al-Qanun (what we might call the "surge") in Baghdad. Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Anderson, Multinational Corps Iraq chief of staff, called this a "monumental achievement" for the ISF. Most importantly, it puts an Iraqi face on the "critical shift away from operating out of forward operating bases and instead maintaining a constant presence in the city."
Fard al-Qanun is hardly a done deal, but it does seem to be working with attacks on coalition troops and civilians down from about 110 per day to 90 per day. Critics might ask why we didn't do this a year ago. I think the simple answer is that a year ago, ISF weren't up to the job, and I continue to believe that flooding Baghdad with American and allied troops accompanied by ineffective, token Iraqi hangers-on would have been a disaster. Now the ISF are up to the job--not just to carrying out the orders of their American overlords, but to independently developing and executing their own tactics--and even issuing orders to the MNF. Their participation has made a strong impression on the local population, which is, General Anderson reported, much more willing to assist in the operation. Don't look for this story on the evening news, people. You won't find it. You'll find this. But it represents real progress.
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A "monumental achievement" for the ISF in Baghdad 3 Comments (0 topical, 3 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
That ALSO true a year ago, Maliki was trying (and coerced by Sistani to) engage Sadr and other Militia leaders into the political process. When Sistani changed his mind, and withdrew his support of Sadr, (and by now the ISF was more capable), for Maliki it has been "game on"...
That, of course coupled with the Bush "new way forward plan" (which as we know has been met with such outstanding and amazing feats of heroic support and adulation in our Congress)has enabled Maliki to step up and actually LEAD his country finally...but they better hurry before Congress finds the right way to yet once again pop everyone's balloon.
haystack's 12th:
Conservatives (and Presidential Candidates especially) shall offer no aid and comfort to the opposition in times of legislative conflict (and ensuing political campaigns).
According to an article from NewsWeek Sistani most definitely withdrew his support from al Sadr.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17438996/site/newsweek/
"Alarmed at the U.S. crackdown, Sadr had an 11 p.m. meeting with Sistani about a month ago, according to an aide to the grand ayatollah, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with practice in the cleric's office. "He asked the sayyid what he should do about the attacks against him, and [Sistani] told him, 'You have two options: bear the consequences, on you and Shias in general, or withdraw into a corner'."
another little nugget from the article is
"Early in the latest U.S. and Iraqi attempt to bring peace to Baghdad, one high-ranking Iraqi official included Moqtada al-Sadr in his prayers. "Allah, lo yehdih, lo yedahdih," he prayed, a pun that roughly translates as "Allah, show him the way, or kick him aside."
Looks to me like mookie got kicked aside.
You’re a persistent cuss, pilgrim.
John Wayne to Jimmy Stewart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Or better. I love to listen to a active-duty general talk about the technological capacity he has, and especially about his troops and what they can do.
These are special people, and they walk among us and they are of us.
The ranting, babbling mutants are outgunned and outclassed.
I'm referring to our guys, of course, the ones who are creating the ISF.