The Iraq Study Group report has been released and with it, as usual, a bunch of bickering from people on both sides. It does provide us with important facts, and what could occur in the future, what should occur and what we should do ultimately, in Iraq. If anything, many sections of this report should shut up democrats such as Carl Levin and Jack Murtha who wish to have a symbolic departure or retreat if you will, from Iraq. It sets down guidelines as to what must be accomplished before we turn security over the Iraqis. The report does not set a timetable for re-deployment (or withdrawal) of troops. It sets no dates. It does state, however, that if conditions on the ground improve within the next 2 years that there could be a basis for a gradual withdrawal.
It also mentions the need for more training of Iraqi forces so that they can take over security faster. It recommends diplomatic discussions with 2 countries we do not have diplomatic ties with, Iran and Syria, this, they believe, will help with the Sunni and Shiite conflict.
There are problems with their suggestions. Much of what the report says is fact, however, their suggestions on how to handle certain situations are not the appropriate ones. This panel was non-partisan, but it did not include anyone with a military background. No retired generals were on the panel, no former pentagon chiefs, no current army commanders. Instead the panel was made up of politicians. Granted they offer no real tactical solutions to problems, but to discuss a military operation without a military leader on your panel is very difficult. James Baker’s failed foreign policies during his tenure as secretary of state does not help matters either. In fact, they are beginning to resurface in this report.
Yes, we must train more Iraqi soldiers. The problem here is that we only have 1 base in the US that trains our training officers, Fort Riley. Without increasing the amount of these training officers we will not be able to train the Iraqis any quicker than we are doing now. The report does say we must act now on this issue.
The problems with this report are very apparent. Why are we to compromise or negotiate with Iran or Syria as the report suggests? How will this make us look to the international community when we sit down to talk with 2 states which, if given the chance, would blow Israel off the map, and try to destroy the US any way they can. Syria is trying to destroy the Lebanese government via assassinations. Iran is training and equipping not only Hezbollah, but the insurgents that our soldiers fight in Iraq. Are we to meet with Iran and Syria, and beg them to stop so we can pull our soldiers out quicker? We do not have similar interests with these countries. Iran wants us out so that they can take over Iraq. Iran is trying to become a nuclear power, yet we are to sit down and talk about Iraq with them, not their nuclear ambitions. How can you talk with a country that will not listen or follow UN instructions? Somehow the ISG believes you can. They’re wrong.
The conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites has been around for a thousand years. There is no proof that the US is responsible for the sectarian violence that is occurring. Iran is responsible for this much more so than the United States. They are encouraging this conflict between the two so that the public will view it as a civil war caused by the US occupancy. The media, of course, eats it up.
Many analysts believe that by adding 20-40,000 more troops to Iraq we could squash the insurgents. Many Democrats and Republicans agree. The problem is, they seem to be silent when it comes to expressing their opinions. By increasing troop levels and going on the offensive instead of sitting in a defensive position waiting to get attacked by snipers, our troops could potentially hurt the insurgency enough that it would clear the way for a quicker turnover of security to the Iraqis.
People forget that we are in a war. There will be death and destruction. We need to use all of our strength to demoralize the insurgency and sustain security first before handing over full control to the Iraqis. We have tried handing parts of the country over, we see how well that worked out.
If we are losing this war, it is only because we are playing defense with no offense. A good defense can certainly win you the game in football, but without a decent offense you cannot score. We are behind in Iraq. We need more offensive power to even the score.
Read the Iraq Study Group's full report here.