[tw]

Originally Posted by Radar

As the Iraqi vets against the war in Iraq say....
YOU CAN'T WIN AN OCCUPATION!

Since a "Mission Accomplished" occupation has almost been won, then American troops will be leaving soon. After all, Phase four planning is mostly accomplished in 6 months. The strategic objective - a political settlement - is almost complete. However Sec of Defense Gates says "Mission Accomplished" will be ongoing for many years. From the Washington Post of 10 Sept 2008:

Pentagon chief cites caution on US troop pullout
But even as Gates hinted at possible further troop cuts in Iraq, he said a go-slow approach is justified by several worrisome circumstances, including slow progress on the political front.

Slow is an understatement. A political solution - the purpose of war - all but does not exist. How can this be if we are winning? Another lesson from Nam. One can win every tactical objective (every battle) and still lose the war. In "Mission Accomplished", a political settlement is absolutely required. Even Sec of Defense Gates admits that will not happen for many years.

"Our military commanders do not yet believe our gains are necessarily enduring _

Of course not. No political settlement is in sight. The surge has not achieved a strategic objective despite so much rhetoric posted by others that ignores that fact.

The Defense secretary said sectarian tensions still exist in Iraq and have the potential to undo recent security progress.

which is exactly what happens when a political settlement does not exist.

How curious. Our leaders said a Nam victory required many more years. With no political settlement, that war was lost. George Jr (Cheney) got exactly what he (and Nixon) wanted - the war to be lost on someone else's watch. The Surge accomplished what George Jr wanted.

Meanwhile, due to no Phase Four planning and due to no strategic objective, Afghanistan is only getting worse. Same mistake made by same wacko extremists. Troops removed from Iraq must be deployed in greater numbers in Afghanistan. Another Vietnam because the time to achieve a strategic objective in Afghanistan was instead wasted by Pearl Harboring Iraq. Just another example of why wacko extremists are so dangerous to their own nation. "Mission Accomplished".

Despite so much rhetoric here to the contrary, Iraq is no closer to being a victory - as even Gates' testimoney before the House says. Without a political settlement, "Mission Accomplished" cannot and will not be won. Deja vue Nam.