[Dean's World] Dave Price: Maliki Takes Control of Iraq's Armed Forces

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dave Price:
Maliki Takes Control of Iraq's Armed Forces
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1157644607.shtml


   Another [1]major step on the way to Iraq being able to defend itself
   so that American troops can come home.

     Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a document taking control of
     Iraq's small naval and air forces and the 8th Iraqi Army Division,
     based in the south. However, it is still unclear how rapidly the
     Iraqi forces will be prepared to take over their own security.
     "From today forward, the Iraqi military responsibilities will be
     increasingly conceived and led by Iraqis," said Gen. George Casey,
     the top U.S. commander in Iraq, at a ceremony.

   Several articles have mentioned they envision turning over about 2
   divisions a month to Maliki's command.
   Iraqi officials have been saying for some time they expect to be able
   to handle things themselves by the end of 2007. That may or may not
   prove accurate, and depending on the upcoming U.S. elections they may
   or may not get our assistance for even that long. Still, the strategic
   situation remains very positive: there does not seem to be any
   existential threat to the coalition government, as the sectarian
   militias are too militarily weak, too partisan, and too lacking in
   popular support to hope to carry out any kind of successful revolution
   that would supplant the elected government. Sectarian violence below
   that level seems unlikely to abate anytime soon, but that's been the
   case for decades and shouldn't be equated with failing to achieve our
   major goals: an Iraq that is relatively free and democratic, no longer
   pursuing WMD, and not a threat to its neighbors.

References

   1. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-09-07-iraq-military_x.htm?csp=34