Iraq Showing No Discernable Progress

02/20/2007

Paul Munnis


I don’t want to rush to judgment on this but early indications are that the “surge” strategy is off to a real slow start in Iraq. That is true in spite of claims to the contrary made by both al Maliki and the Bush Administration.

In Baghdad, killings, car bombings, kidnappings, and suicide bombings continue at a steady pace almost as though nothing is impeding it from happening. Wherever Iraqis gather then death soon follows.

Americans claim the fight is being brought to the enemy but the opposite seems true as the enemy is now attacking US bases. Their strength seems to be increasing.

In outlaying provinces troops are under attack and in some places like Anbar and Baqaba fierce fighting is reported as still in progress.

What has been described as a game of “Whack-a-Mole” continues unabated so far as the enemy appears and disappears at its own convenience.

These events are now demanding answers to the unthinkable – what if the Bush Strategy fails further and the death rate increases? Congress and the Administration still owe the American public an answer to this question. What is Plan B?

Meantime refugees are fleeing Iraq at as fast a rate as they can muster and are overflowing into neighboring countries at a rate that is alarming to those nations.

In Jordan, King Abdullah is pleading with the US to undertake diplomacy but nothing is happening up front. Behind the scenes, the UN is closing in on a drop-dead date for Iran nuclear disarmament prior to their tightening of sanctions.

The Iraqi government has completed draft legislation for oil revenue sharing but is slow to take it up for discussion and a vote strengthening beliefs that they are dysfunctional.

In the short-run we can say: “No Progress.” The mid and long term appears as still murky.