[Dean's World] Dave Price: Iraq's Problem In A Nutshell

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Posted by Dave Price:
Iraq's Problem In A Nutshell
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1193696886.shtml


   [1]Truer words were never spoke:

     "Unfortunately, there are some individuals who are not interested
     in reconciliation," Odierno said. "These individuals continue to
     use violence to incite sectarian hatred for political gain, to
     promote foreign interests and to achieve personal wealth through
     criminal activity.

   The last semblance of any "patriotic resistance" evaporated this year,
   as nearly all the Sunni quasi-nationalist resistance groups decided
   throwing in with the U.S. and democracy was the lesser of evils. This
   is now almost entirely a "war" between heavily-armed thugs and those
   trying to secure the country so Iraqis can live decent, free lives.
   Odierno goes on to name names, and talks about the rescue of eight
   kidnapped Iraqi leaders who were attending reconciliation talks. The
   latter is interesting, as it highlights the ever-more-vigilant Iraqi
   citizenry's determination to rein in the violent element, [2]as noted
   by Michael Yon:

     We'll be sitting there in the TOC (tactical operations center or
     HQ) and an e-mail comes in and it's literally a map (or a photo of
     one) with detailed descriptions of wanted men and/or caches. And
     the information is turning out to be true. I have never seen
     anything like this before,
     It's becoming almost bizarre how specific the informants are
     becoming. Informants have called up saying they are with bad guys
     right now and giving their location. Our guys show up and arrest
     everyone. Hours later, the U.S. soldiers let the informants go. JAM
     and AQI are getting slammed in many areas because local people are
     sick of the violence and local people trust Americans to help them
     end it.

References

   1. http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/10/iraqi_troops_free_tr.php
   2. http://www.nypost.com/seven/10282007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/inside_the_surge.htm?page=6