Redstate

Unless the Iraqi government takes advantage of the "breathing space" that U.S. forces are providing, Mullen said, "no amount of troops in no amount of time will make much of a difference." [...] Mullen warned that "there is no purely military solution in Iraq" and that the country's politicians "need to view politics and democracy as more than just majority rule, winner-take-all, or a zero-sum game." Absent that, he said, the United States will be forced to reevaluate its strategy … Mullen, who is the chief of naval operations, told the panel that the U.S. troop increase in Iraq "is giving our operational commanders the forces they needed to execute more effective tactics and improve security." He added, "Security is better; not great, but better." … Levin expressed skepticism that Iraqi politicians can take steps toward political reconciliation. They "remain frozen by their history," he said. Levin added that the Iraqi parliament is "at a standstill," with nearly every session since November adjourning because too few legislators showed up … Asked by Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) about the U.S. prospects for "winning" in Iraq, Mullen said: "Based on the lack of political reconciliation at the government level . . . I would be concerned about whether we'd be winning or not." … In his written responses to committee questions, Mullen listed seven of "the most significant mistakes" made by the United States in Iraq. Among them, he cited Washington's failure to "fully integrate all elements of U.S. national power in Iraq," the failure to "establish an early and significant dialogue with neighboring countries," the U.S. attempt to occupy the country with "an insufficient force," the disbanding of the Iraqi army shortly after the 2003 U.S. invasion, and the pursuit of a de-Baathification process that "proved more divisive than helpful."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/31/AR200707...

Being a busy man Mullen probably didn't know that yesterday the Post ran a piece stating:

"U.S.-backed Sunni volunteer forces, which have played a vital role in reducing violence in Iraq, are increasingly frustrated with the American military and the Iraqi government over what they see as a lack of recognition of their growing political clout and insufficient U.S. support."

[And]

U.S. military officials and commanders say they are seeking to defuse the rising tensions before hard-won U.S. gains are jeopardized. "Despite some of the frustrations, the frictions and the attacks on the Sons of Iraq, they are continuing to volunteer. As an interim solution, it seems to be working well," said Col. Bill Buckner, a senior U.S. military spokesman. "It's clear Iraq remains a fragile security environment. We want to address many of their concerns as best as we can, so that they continue to be part of the solution to the security situation in Iraq."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR200802...

And most probably he also didn't read yesterday's news that:

Iraqi government leaders on Wednesday rejected a law requiring nationwide elections by the fall, sidetracking a measure that U.S. officials consider a key benchmark for political reconciliation in Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR200802...

... and does anyone understand the debaathification law,
http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/02/today_in_iraqand_tomorrow.htm...

and do the former Baathists trust it?
http://toohotfortnr.blogspot.com/2008/01/dont-you-try-to-fake-me-out.htm...

Mullen, who has also earlier stated our troop forces are ’significantly stressed’, and that we 'do what we can in Afghanistan and what we must in Iraq' is in a very tight spot, indeed. Shame nobody asked him if he thought the political 'breathing space' for Iraqi nation reconciliation was exhausting itself.

DJames - and the rest of you "we can't " whiners.....
What year is it ? Last time I looked it is 2008 ! Um - the US still in Japan, Germany, S Korea and Bosnia..... How long since those conflicts 'ended' ???
If you think Iraq can convert from Saddam( Note: we can no longer use his last name) to a functioning, stable democracy in a few months or even just a few years you are delusional .

W has said from the outset shortly afetr 9/11 that this would be a long war . I know - I KNOW - teenagers want what they want and they want it all - NOW!... or is that two year olds ?
The US Congress under the current 'leadership' has accomplished nearly zero in terms of fixing the problems that are vital to the nation . Primary among them is the defense of this Republic . To that end the Demorat party has had our defeat as their main goal but hey you know them Iraqis - they can't get anything done so the US should surrender.

Frankly, D I have a manure tank of some size : =) you are welcome to do laps .

I am new to this site so I will go slowly. One thing at a time. The end of conflict is when the goverment in Iraq can stand up so we can stand down? Is this our new foreign policy? Can we expect to do this wherever we encounter terrorists while looking for WMD, Nukes,Osama in PakiAfistan, Gaza, Iran, Indonesia? Why not troops all over the world under the command say the UN or Nato. How about we print some more money and pass it out, Don't forget to tax it! I'm sorry I am getting carried away. True Conservative Policies, I think not. WWRRD1980-2008