[Dean's World] Dave Price: Major General Benjamin Mixon: Withdrawal May Be Possible By January 2008

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Posted by Dave Price:
Major General Benjamin Mixon: Withdrawal May Be Possible By January 2008
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1184349528.shtml


   [1]Progress in Diyala:

     WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US surge strategy is making "definitive
     progress" in one of Iraq's most fiercely contested provinces, and
     US troops there could be reduced as early as January, a US
     commander said Friday.
     ...
     "I think that over time in a very methodical and well thought out
     way -- and I'm only speaking for MultiNational Division North -- we
     could have a reduction of force that could begin in January 2008,"
     Mixon said via videolink from Iraq.
     ...
     Just one US soldier was killed in the clearing operations in
     Baquba, a low toll that Mixon credited to detailed intelligence
     provided to US forces by members of a Baathist insurgent group, the
     1920 Revolution Brigades.

   A subtext they don't mention is that the ISF are continually
   improving, especially in situation where they are paired with U.S.
   forces, which is the major reason why the withdrawal may be possible.
   The military has learned some painful lessons about turning things
   over too soon. In 2004, we didn't have enough reliable ISF to do much
   of anything, in 2005 they could hold a few areas, in 2006 they were
   good enough to take over quite a few provinces, and hopefully by the
   end of this year they shoulder a significant portion of the burden.
   The MSM/DNC/antiwar axis keeps accusing Bush of being out of touch
   with reality, but the "Surrender Now At Any Cost!" crowd seems to be
   inconveniently contradicted by the troops. That must really gall them.
   No wonder they're [2]trying so [3]hard to [4]destroy the public's
   faith in the military â [5]unsuccessfully, I might add.

References

   1. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070713/pl_afp/usiraqmilitary_070713171344;_ylt=AvF5K7syZIb2ZXr2olIs0KNX6GMA
   2. http://www.deanesmay.com/the_war/archives/archive_2006_06.shtml
   3. http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1184123077.shtml
   4. http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1184173698.shtml
   5. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/432/iraq-and-vietnam-a-crucial-difference-in-opinion