Quote:
|
Want to know if the surge will succeed or fail? There is only one thing to do: Wait.
|
Some people must wait to learn what was obvious in April 2006. Some confuse tactical victories with winning a war. Well wait. Wait because in a couple of days, another analysis, this time by the Government Accountability Office, will be released.
The report will demonstrate that sectarian violence makes reconciliation almost impossible. That American stupidity started making things worst about the time that Saddam was captured. Because reporters, accused of only reporting bad news, did not robustly report that reality. An ignored 'in the press' problem that Americans can no longer resolve. Fundamental problems that were only exasperated by American ignorance are demonstrated:
Quote:
|
"The Sunnis never felt how much we suffered," she said.
|
Quote:
|
When asked about accusations that the Mahdi Army forced innocent Sunnis out of the Hurriya neighborhood, which borders Adel, she said Shiites had no time to sift the innocent from the guilty because Sunnis were killing Shiites.
|
Insurgencies can only be terminated by resolving the problems. There never was a military solution to insurgencies. None of these problems entrenched by Americans can be resolved by Americans.
But then what has been accomplished? The electrical system is on the verge of collapsing. Much of it is now controlled by insurgencies. The British are now being driven out of central Basra - another defeat. Insurgents even used the electrical system to attack and defeat that British base.
What was supposed to be already fixed must be torn apart and reconstructed.
Quote:
An independent commission established by Congress to assess Iraq’s security forces will recommend remaking the 26,000-member national police force to purge it of corrupt officers and Shiite militants suspected of complicity in sectarian killings, ...
One commander in northwest Baghdad said most bomb attacks against American patrols in the area this spring occurred close to police checkpoints. ... But American officers have been trying to fix the police force since before 2006, which the military labeled "the year of the police," a slogan meant to show their determination to fix what were, even then, longstanding sectarian problems.
|
Those who grasped military principles for a victory were also hearing this from reporters. Those in denial have been preaching 'light at the end of the tunnel' myths. Those who still foolishly believe victory can be achieved are even denying why Iraq has is in civil war. So they even invent another myth - calling all insurgent Al Qaeda.
Quote:
|
In a draft version of the report, the G.A.O. concluded that Iraq had failed to meet 13 of 18 military and political goals agreed to by President Bush.
|
And that's the bottom line. The strategic objectives cannot be achieved. Petraeus, just like in Nam, can win every battle, and still not win the war. America is again supporting a government that does not represent the interests of a nation.
Scowcroft (one of George Sr's closest friends who was probably echoing George Sr's opinions) predicted an Iraqi Civil War. New Cellar dwellers can search here for that name to see how long ago reality was understood - how long ago some were denying reality.
None of this disparages Gen Petraeus. Petraeus repeatedly said he cannot achieve a strategic victory - only make it possible for one to happen. But then one need only view how deep the animosity is between Sunnis and Shia because America did not resolve that problem almost five years ago - the only time that problem could have been resolved. Of course, that means a president with some intelligence - who could plan for the peace - who understood by America must do nation building. Today's problems could only be resolved back them.
How curious. Things we do today only show up on the spread sheets four and more years later. Four years after creating an American defeat, it is even appearing in the numbers. Remember those soldier don't decide to go to war. We send them. Four years ago, this is what we did to the American soldier:
The Lost Year
Yes, it takes almost one hour to view. But to understand the loss of "Mission Accomplished", one should learn why. Nothing better explains why a defeat in "Mission Accomplished" is obvious. That was the only time this simmering conflict could have been avoided. Americans can no longer solve it - no matter how many dollars are thrown at the problem like a grenade.