Right Thinking From The Left Coast
Do, or do not. There is no 'try'. - Yoda

Surging Through
by Lee

Good news from the surge.

The number of truck bombs and other large al-Qaeda-style attacks in Iraq have declined nearly 50% since the United States started increasing troop levels in Iraq about six months ago, according to the U.S. military command in Iraq.
The high-profile attacks — generally large bombs hitting markets, mosques or other “soft” targets that produce mass casualties — have dropped to about 70 in July from a high during the past year of about 130 in March, according to the Multi-National Force — Iraq.

Military officers say the decline reflects progress in damaging al-Qaeda’s networks in Iraq. The military has launched offensives around Baghdad aimed at al-Qaeda sanctuaries and bases.

“The enemy had the initiative and the momentum in ‘06,” said Jack Keane, a retired general who is a chief architect of the increase in troop levels and mentor to Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. “We’ve got it now.”

Let’s hope.

Posted by Lee on 08/13/07 at 02:23 PM (Discuss this in the forums)

Comments


Posted by on 08/13/07 at 03:05 PM from United States

If true, great.

Posted by on 08/13/07 at 03:13 PM from United States

I think, and I am working from memory here (principally because I can’t be bothered), the year on year statistics on violence are always lower in July, and they always push this story in August. By September, everything is (sadly) back to ‘normal’.

The violence won’t stop until the policies are right and their implementation is effective. It doesn’t matter how much force you throw at it.

Posted by on 08/13/07 at 03:21 PM from United States

It’s not like we’ve solved the underlying problems. But, less violence = fewer innocents dead or injured. That’s a good thing.

Posted by Manwhore on 08/13/07 at 03:55 PM from United States

Damn, I’m good.

Posted by on 08/13/07 at 04:35 PM from United States

Lee, I’m sorry to be such an asshole, but you’re talking out both sides of your mouth. In the thread titled “Keeping the Important Quarter Happy”, you basically dismissed Petraus’ forthcoming report, and stated:

“Victory," whatever that is, will never be achieved.

The thing to keep in mind:  this was a war that WE LOST.

Now you’re saying we should “hope”???

For what, exactly? “Victory”, whatever that is, will never be achieved. You said so yourself.

I’ve been saying, wait ‘til Petraus’ report comes out, but you’re beating the “We Lost” drum too loud for anyone to hear anything else.

Posted by Manwhore on 08/13/07 at 05:40 PM from United States

I’ve been saying, wait ‘til Petraus’ report comes out, but you’re beating the “We Lost” drum too loud for anyone to hear anything else.

well, at least he’s got the humility to post the finding. My last Iraq post was pretty much this story anyway.

It’s pretty easy to assume. A soldier on every street corner and there would be no way to plant IEDs.

Posted by HARLEY on 08/13/07 at 08:01 PM from United States

See.....
maybe we can get lucky… maybe the people of Iraq will come to their senses and stop this blood shed, or at lest abate it to teh “normal” level in the mid east.

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