J's Cafe Nette

Archive for the ‘Iraq’ Category

Not only does Vice President Biden apparently believe that the current administration is responsible for the successes achieved in Iraq, but the administration is also pushing the mantra that the Vice President is responsible for the country securing free and fair elections:

Gibbs said that “the vice president’s been deeply involved in fixing the political process there so that elections can be held and so that our troops can come home as scheduled this summer.”

Gee, I wonder what this was that took place on January 30, 2005?

For Iraqis, 2005 was a year in which they participated in two elections and a referendum. They voted on January 30, October 15, and December 15. The first vote, on January 30, was held despite the explicit warnings from Al Qaeda in Iraq not to attempt this step toward democracy. Looking back at the reports being filed in the weeks leading up to the election, one notes that no one was optimistic about the outcome, often with good reason. According to Dexter Filkins of the New York Times, he and his colleagues had started an office pool to see who could predict the percentage of Iraqis who would vote; the precentages being considered were between fifteen and twenty-four percent. By the end of the day, however, all observers were impressed by the courage of the Iraqi citizens and the long lines of Iraqis who walked to the polling stations to vote. Estimates of the actual turnout vary between fifty and sixty percent. The photos of Iraqis with purple fingers, inked at the voting centers to show that they had voted, were spread around the world.

Fast forward to October and December of 2005:

On October 15, Iraqis went to the polls to vote on a referendum for the new Constitution; it was ratified by a wide margin. And then, on December 15, there was a general election to seat the new 275-member Parliament. The United Iraqi Alliance ticket won 128 seats, the largest share of any of the parties, followed by the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan with 53, Iraqi Accord Front with 44, and the Iraqi National List with 25.

This administration must consist of miracle workers.

These are the same individuals who told the American people that the surge in Iraq would fail yet with a wave of their magical imaginary wands, they have now won the war and will bring the troops home on the same timetable agreed upon before former President Bush left office. Wow, impressive.

November 9, 2009:

Under a security agreement drawn up between Iraq and the United States last year, all U.S. military forces have to withdraw by the end of 2011.

If all goes according to plan, U.S. combat operations will end by August 31, 2010, although 50,000 troops will remain until 2012 to train Iraqi security forces and conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations.

Here is Senator Biden, (in his own words in 2007):

Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the day before hearing the testimony by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, already dismissed the results. “I really respect him, but I think he’s dead flat wrong,” Biden said about General Petraeus on September 9, 2007. After two days of testimony, Senator Biden was still not persuaded that the new strategy was working. In an interview a few days after the hearing, Senator Biden said, “I give the strategy no chance of succeeding. Zero.”

How about the former Senator from the state of Illinois?

July 2007:

“Here’s what we know. The surge has not worked. And they said today, ‘Well, even in September, we’re going to need more time.’ So we’re going to kick this can all the way down to the next president, under the president’s plan.”

This game of sleight of hand which is being played out in Washington is beyond reproach. Barack Obama was elected and poof, the world became a safer place immediately. All the accomplishments of our military personnel occurring prior to January 2009 vanished. After all, if success was acknowledged someone else, anyone, might have to receive credit.

Given everything above, prior and current statements , the belief this administration must have that their magic dust will cloud the memory of American citizens, and the self delusional talk of how they somehow they stabilized Iraq by nothing more than their presence,
there is one thing they seem to have forgotten.

The war in Iraq was not won by any politician (standing up a viable government in Iraq withstanding) in Washington. The country was not secured by armchair generals or television pundits.

Citizens in Iraq are free to vote, to attend school, own and operate businesses, receive medical attention, no longer live in fear of torture or mass murder and speak their mind without intimidation due to our military and the allies who fought by their side.

You can provide all the strategy in the world, but without those who execute orders, there is zero chance of success. It is my belief former President Bush understood that fact. In today’s environment of make believe, not so much.

Credit where credit is due:

*All emphasis in the above post- admin.

(Update): Wish I would have seen this before I wrote the post above. It’s less than 2 minutes, delivered by a member of our Special Forces (Retired), and it says it all. *Warning, Strong Language

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If not for the efforts of the coalition forces in Iraq, does anyone feel the following would have ever come to fruition?

Most probably never were aware of the extensive humanitarian endeavors carried out by those with boots on the ground in Iraq. Why? Well I suppose it would not have sold newspapers or made for good commentary on the evening news.

Have you read about this?

In April 2009, American Airlines and Operation Iraqi Children partnered to transport 20 tons of supplies into Iraq. Two schools were visited in the Golden Hills area; over 700 school kits, Croc shoes, and clothing were distributed. Read more about this airlift.

The efforts by individuals and businesses to provide these children has been overwhelming. Civilians and troops alike have joined hands to provide a better life for those unable to help themselves.

Iraq celebrated this past Tuesday what is a form of independence.

Our troops vacating major cities and relinquishing control to the homeland forces is a good thing.

We were never meant to be invaders or occupiers (as some believed), only to set an entire population free from the oppressive dictatorship they had endured for centuries.

Through it all, the political decisions which may have been well placed but at times failed, the blinding heat and sandstorms, and the many negative accounts of their struggles to free a nation and turn it towards democracy, our troops and those of the coalition worked tirelessly to complete their mission.

When I see a an image such as the one below it speaks a thousand words.

It should be the hope of all in America that these children will one day remember the sacrifices of those who freed them from tyranny and allowed them their first taste of freedom.

For all the horrors which any war produces, if we just look a little deeper we can find the good.

As our own Independence Day approaches we should be thankful we continue to have men and women both here at home and across the globe who are willing to sacrifice so others might experience that which we have come to cherish.

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A while back there were several stories about this:

Some of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners could be released into the United States while others could be put on trial in the American court system, Attorney General Eric Holder said on Wednesday.

Yesterday, came this:

The State Department has made a decision to make an Iraqi translator, Jasim, wait another three years for a visa. One of the reasons that the denial was issued was that, Jasim, as part of the Kurdish Peshmerga, infiltrated Uday Hussein’s organization to steal data and then stole Uday’s car to escape. He was captured, tortured, and then released six years later when Saddam let all the prisoners go on the eve of the Invasion in 2003.

More on Jasim:

After the invasion, Jasim became a legendary translator, assisting above and beyond.
“I owe my life to Jasim … hands down,” said Master Sgt. Jason Krieger, who went on over 200 combat patrols with Jasim. “I consider him a brother, not only in arms, but in love as well.”

For six years, Jasim has put his life on the line to help our troops. His stepbrother paid the ultimate price for Jasim’s heroism.

Let’s get this straight. Terrorists are released on American soil and given access to our court system, but a man who has risked his life to assist our troops..well sorry, he’ll just have to wait to enjoy our freedoms.

There’s something very upsidedown about all of this, don’t you think?

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I’ve been AWOL recently in posting about or linking to material regarding the United States Military.

Think it’s time to get back in the water by offering the following links for you to peruse:

Embedded in this post at Blackfive is a video well worth watching. [Language caution, although not throughout.]

I’ll share the final paragraph of the post as it might provide you a bit of insight into the subject matter:

Our military is not a tool to be used to further your political goals. I assume that is starting to sink in, and you still have to make the tough decisions. So man up sir, make the call and then prepare to stand by it. We’ll see if the sign over your desk comes down.

Two very stirring pieces are available at Mudville Gazete. The first is a touching thank you to our troops:

CAMP LIBERTY — A new symbol of freedom and appreciation now greets Soldiers and visitors to the headquarters of Multi-National Division – Baghdad, after an unveiling ceremony in front of division headquarters here, Feb. 5.

Dr. Muayad Muslin Hamid al-Jaburri, an influential Iraqi cardiologist and humanitarian, donated the gold eagle-head statue to all the Soldiers of MND-B in admiration for their sacrifices while working to make Baghdad a safer place to live.

“The Eagle represents a little bit of mixed culture, knowing how important the eagle means to Americans and knowing that in the Arabic culture we have been putting eagles on top of the castles for thousands of years to show power and protection,” said Jaburri.

A photo of the statue is available at the link.

The other must be read in its entirety to be appreciated, therefore I will offer no excerpts.

This post will touch your heart as it is a guest piece from a Gold Star Father.

One thing is for certain. I respect and admire Mr. Stokley’s position on media hounds being present when the remains of a fallen member of the US military arrives home.

These families deserve private moments with their loved ones as any civilian does. Exploiting a death for media or political gain is nothing short of despicable.

“We gather strength from sadness and from pain Each time we die we learn to live again.” – Source Unknown

Please take a few minutes to read the links offered above and maybe take a few minutes to remember those who are still engaged in the difficult work of maintaining our National Security in places far from home. Thanks.

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While the media and politicians (at home and abroad) jockeyed for position on the Iraq war, its residents have seen the fruits of not only the labors of the joint military forces but of their own citizens:

When hypocrites and extremists sober up from their shoe hangover they will see a new Iraq which will not be easy for them to recognize. Even harder for them will be to contain the tides of freedom and democracy which are bound to reach their shores and shake the foundations of dictatorships and extremism.

Those seeking perfection will never find it. Just look at our own country as it serves as a prime example of a nation still striving to find itself.

What is a travesty is that for pure political domination many sought to destroy those who believed in freedom for those oppressed.

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Remember during the 1980 election between Ronald Reagan and then-President Jimmy Carter, when the hostages in Iran were not released until after Reagan was officially sworn in as a slap to Jimmy Carter?

Well, if this story is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn’t, what is Obama trying to pull?

WHILE campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military presence.

According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.

“He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington,” Zebari said in an interview.

Obama insisted that Congress should be involved in negotiations on the status of US troops – and that it was in the interests of both sides not to have an agreement negotiated by the Bush administration in its “state of weakness and political confusion.”

“However, as an Iraqi, I prefer to have a security agreement that regulates the activities of foreign troops, rather than keeping the matter open.” Zebari says.

Though Obama claims the US presence is “illegal,” he suddenly remembered that Americans troops were in Iraq within the legal framework of a UN mandate. His advice was that, rather than reach an accord with the “weakened Bush administration,” Iraq should seek an extension of the UN mandate.

While in Iraq, Obama also tried to persuade the US commanders, including Gen. David Petraeus, to suggest a “realistic withdrawal date.” They declined.

Obama has made many contradictory statements with regard to Iraq. His latest position is that US combat troops should be out by 2010. Yet his effort to delay an agreement would make that withdrawal deadline impossible to meet.

Here is a man whose most famous act of politics is boasting he was against the Iraq war and wants to bring the troops home in 16 months after he is sworn in, and he’s trying to make an under the table agreement with the Iraqis to let our troops stay longer so he can get the credit for returning them if and when he is sworn in as president.

And remember all the talk about us not following UN guidlines to go to war? All of a sudden he wants us to “seek an extension of the UN mandate.”

Is he willing to play with the lives of our military in order to satisfy his huge ego? We have already done the biggest part of turning over the provinces of Iraq to Iraqi control. Thirteen of the eighteen Iraqi provinces are now in control of the Iraqi government.

How much longer does he want to keep the troops there so they don’t have to come home under the orders of a “weakened Bush administration”?

He’d better hope his buddies in the large mainstream press keep this under their hats because if a lot of the electorate reads it he’s toast. Not to mention despicable.

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Andrea Mitchell interviews General Petraeus.

The General wastes no time in making his positions crystal clear..now only if the media would listen.

While the Democrats attempt to jockey for position to take credit for us “winning” in Iraq, (we all know it had to be that pressure they put on the President), their steady drumbeat of words fall on deaf ears with me.

This is the party whose leader told us the war was lost. Remember Mrs. Clinton’s “willing suspension of disbelief” of General Petraeus’s report to the Armed Services Committee?

How about the disgraceful actions and words of Congressman John Murtha?

We should not forget the continuous threats on the Left to cut funding for the war, knowing full well the American people would not tolerate our troops being left in further jeopardy.

As for the media, well they have done their level best to turn public opinion against the war and the President perhaps not realizing there are those of us who resent their constant negativity and lack of support and recognition for the successes achieved.

President Bush has remained steadfast in his claim that when Iraq was stable and their government was certain they could maintain the peace, we would leave. His recent conversations with Prime Minister Maliki are the beginning of that process, not some artificial time line the Democrats would prefer our troops and Iraq follow.

Wars are not won or lost by presidential nominees (especially those whose positions change like the wind) or those in Congress, many of whom have never set foot in today’s hostile environments.

No indeed, they are won by men and women like these:

Something a bit different this week, in keeping with our the war was won theme. This is a video produced by the Third Infantry Division (aka Task Force Marne and MND-C) the surge division in Iraq.

and, those who have stepped up to defend their own country as it struggles (as our nation did) to form a democracy:

Then there are times when the change hits you across the forehead like a 2×4. Yesterday I found inspiration in the tears of joy on hundreds of faces at the graduation for the Iraqi Military Academy at Rustimiyah as 252 young men graduated from the one year course of instruction and were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the Iraqi Army and Air Force.

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My bet is Congressman Murtha will go into hiding over the next few days.

After all, he won’t want to be questioned again about why yet another Marine’s charges have been dropped in relation to Haditha.

Charges against the Battalion Commander of the Haditha Marines have been dropped.

While it remains to be seen if the charges will be filed again in the case of Lt. Col. Chessani, the fact remains that not one Marine has been found guilty of the charges levied against them primarily stemming from a Time Magazine reporters account.

Head on over to Blackfive with the link above for all the details. The only thing I might add to this final sentence penned by Uncle Jimbo:

Shame on you Mr. Murtha you disgraced yourself, the Congress and earned the disgust of 99% of the US military.

is that there were also many civilians angry at the press in general for their handling of this case but the contempt felt for Congressman Murtha far outweighed even that.

More here.

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Imagine spending your time (all your time) no more than 15 feet apart from your significant other:

Did you hear about that Buddhist couple who’re never more than 15 feet apart? Well, we tried it.

HT: Instapundit

Simon says:

A real shame exports are growing at a rate of about 2.8% a year. It is a shame manufacturing is booming. It is a shame Germans are moving factories to America.

It is a shame the Iraqis are getting a handle on Iraq. It is a shame they are holding national elections in October. It is a shame their economy is growing 5% a year.

It is a shame oil prices are up giving a boost to the sale of hybrids and high mileage vehicles.

It is a shame unemployment in the “worst economy since the depression” is only around 5%. It is a shame it only grew .9%. It is a shame that higher growth is expected in the coming quarters. Did I mention that Germans are building factories in America?

Considering the doofus we have as President it is a shame things are going as well as they are.

The Anchoress is on to something, at least in my opinion:

And the only way to hurt a congress is to vote them all out.

Whoever the incumbent is, vote for the other guy. A new congress full of greenhorns cannot be worse than the clowns in charge, now, and maybe the thick-heads facing re-election next time will finally understand. Maybe.

There is a classic picture at the end of the piece well worth checking out.

Will there be a Senator or Presidential candidate who will accept Michael Yon’s offer?

I hereby offer to accompany any Senator to Iraq, whether they are pro-or anti-war, Democrat or Republican. I will make this offer personally to a few select Senators as well. Our conversations during the visit would be on- or off-record, as they wish. Touring Iraq with me, as well as briefings by U.S. officers and meetings with Iraqis, would provide an accurate and nuanced account of the progress and challenges ahead, so that the Senators might have a highly informed perspective on this most critical issue. Our civilian leaders need to make decisions based on the best information available. The only way to learn what is really going on in Iraq is to go there and listen to our ground commanders, who know what they are doing. Generals Petraeus and Odierno have years of experience in Iraq, and vast knowledge of our efforts there. But the young soldiers who have done multiple tours in Iraq also have unique and invaluable perspectives as well. These young soldiers have personally witnessed the trajectory of the war shift dramatically, and can articulate those changes in concrete and specific terms. It doesn’t matter if a soldier is only twenty-something. If he or she spent two or three years in the war, that person is likely to have valuable insights. The best way to understand what is really going on is to listen closely to a wide range of service members who have done multiple tours in Iraq. Some will be negative, some will be positive, but overall I am certain that the vast majority of multi-tour Iraq veterans will testify that there has been great progress, and now there is hope. Combat veterans don’t tolerate happy talk or wishful thinking. They’ll tell you the raw truth as they see it.

Whether any Senators take advantage of my offer, I do hope that the presidential candidates visit Iraq, not just for a photo opportunity, but to spend time with our commanders and combat veterans, who know the truth and are not afraid to speak it.

This evening will bring the primary season to an end. If you wish to follow the results as they roll in CNN Election Center will begin posting them as the respective polls close.

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Senator Lieberman, much like President Bush is a man I admire for his courage to follow his convictions even in the face of abandonment of his party.

Once again the Senator delivers remarks to Generals Petraeus and Odierno which only serve to reinforce my feeling toward him as an American first, Senator second:

The Senator’s remarks coupled with this encouraging post at Mudville Gazette offer hope that we are now moving in the right direction in Iraq.

I can think of nothing more appropriate as we head into this Memorial Day weekend than to shed a positive light on those who serve her so selflessly:

The story points out that Iraqi forces are now leading operations in Basra, Mosul and Sadr City, making progress with relatively little American support.

“This is unprecedented: three major Iraqi-led operations in three different parts of the country.”

And…

Last week, the overall level of attacks in Iraq was at the lowest point since April, 2004. So far in May, the U.S. death rate is the lowest of the war.

And…

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s political position has never been stronger, he currently has the backing of Sunnis, Kurds and moderate Shiites. As a result, Moqtada al-Sadr’s party is politically isolated.

And…

The speaker of the Iraqi parliament [a Sunni] wrote a heartfelt letter to President Bush, thanking the U.S. for sending the “best politicians and military commanders” to Iraq.

Greyhawk has linked the ABC News story referenced above. It speaks volumes.

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If there are lingering questions about that “Mission Accomplished” banner aboard the USS Lincoln the day of President Bush’s speech for which it was a backdrop, this may help clear up the confusion:

Via Seamus, comes this email from a Navy Lieutenant who was aboard the USS Lincoln during the visit from President Bush. Yesterday was the anniversary of President Bush’s speech about the end of major combat operations, and it was covered by some the media as the infamous “Mission Accomplished” speech.

Check out the complete email from the Lieutenant. It speaks volumes as to the media coverage of this important moment in history. Here’s just a bit of what he has to say:

The media stationed aboard our vessel clearly understood the truth behind the banner yet fed the public a twisted version of this truth. I honestly believe that those opposed to the war saw an opportunity to spin the truth about the banner in order to attack the President. As an officer aboard the ship at that time, I found it to be hurtful and insulting that the media would use our specific accomplishments as a platform to attack our Commander-in-Chief. The President’s visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln was a great honor to those of us serving aboard her at the time. It is shameful and reprehensible to see the tremendous spin that has been placed on this great event. I was proud to serve my country and I will always support my Commander-in-Chief. God bless America.

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The usual Friday-Fly By will be pre-empted this week by a reading of Michael Yon’s, “Moment of Truth in Iraq.”

Due to the generosity of a very dear friend, I received my autographed copy yesterday afternoon. It was a long wait until free time late last evening allowed me to begin what I knew would be a compelling, factual account of events in Iraq.

At this moment, I have completed the first half of the publication and as expected, Michael continues with a writing style which transports you into the center of action. There are moments as with his dispatches, where the readers senses are in tune with those who are tirelessly fighting for not only our security but the freedom of the Iraqi people.

Thanks you dear friend for this gift and thank you Michael Yon for your honesty, candor and most of all your personal sacrifice so we may have a clearer picture of the horrors and successes of this war.

Now, back to reading.

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A new dispatch has been posted from Michael Yon. It is chock full of terrific information and photos as usual.

The final paragraph in this piece captured my attention. Because of the trust I have in Yon’s feelings and observations this gives me hope that we may be nearing a light at the end of at least one tunnel in Iraq:

There are no guarantees, but this could be the endgame for major combat operations in Iraq. Combat is likely to heat up in Mosul and western Nineveh by about May. There likely will be some reports of increased US and Iraqi casualties up here, but this does not mean that we are losing ground or that al Qaeda is resurging – though clearly they are trying. If there is an increase in casualties here as we go into the summer of 2008, it is because our people and the Iraqi forces are closing in. We have seen just how deadly al Qaeda can be. This enemy is desperate. They know they are losing. They are not likely to go out easy. The enemy is smart, agile and adaptive. Likely they will land some devastating blows on us, but at this rate, our people and Iraqi forces appear to be driving stakes through al Qaeda hearts faster than al Qaeda is regenerating.

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It is no secret that there have been countless documents, tapes etc. recovered since Saddam Hussein was deposed, some of which are now being released for public consumption.

Judge for yourself after reading this article if the world is not a better place without this tyrant in a position of power:

The Americans captured more than 600,000 intelligence items, including thousands of hours of video and sound recordings, all of which have been scanned and summarized, but only 15 percent was fully translated into English.

A document from 2002, from the chief of staff of the Al-Quds Army, sent to the Karbala Division, orders each brigade to build a model of an Israeli town and practice taking it by force.

Hamas representatives, including Abdel Aziz Rantisi, who was assassinated by the Israel Defense Forces in 2004, contacted Iraqi intelligence and asked to coordinate attacks against American and Israeli targets to delay the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The documents also show that Iraqi agents also followed the activities of Israel in Jordan, Qatar and the Philippines.

A video recording of a meeting between Saddam and Yasser Arafat on April 19, 1990, showed Saddam threatening to assassinate then president George Bush. “We may not be able to reach Washington, but we could send someone with an explosives belt to Washington,” Saddam told Arafat, three months before the invasion of Kuwait.

“We can send people to Washington. A man with an explosives belt could throw himself on Bush’s car.”

Saddam also told his Palestinian guest that he intended to launch surface-to-surface ballistic missiles against Tel Aviv and that he possessed chemical weapons that “have been successfully employed” against Iran – and he would not hesitate to also use them against Israel.

The file listing potential targets in Israel covers 223 pages and was classified as Top Secret by Iraqi intelligence. It was found on April 13, 2003, in the headquarters of the Iraqi intelligence service in Baghdad by a unit of U.S. Marines. [Emphasis, mine]

Much more at the link above including a list of potential targets in Israel which Saddam had designs on destroying.

HT: Clarice Feldman

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If this report is accurate then one has to wonder for how long Al-Sadr has understood that neither his power grab or his militia would never have been successful in Iraq:

The leader of the Shi’ite Sadrists in Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, has announced in a letter to his followers that he is stepping down from his position, distancing himself from people, and focusing on his studies.

He explained that he was doing so because he had failed in carrying out his father’s will to liberate Iraq from the occupation and turning its people into believing Muslims.

He wrote that the continuation of the occupation, the many who were distancing themselves from the true path, and their turning to politics and affairs of this world had motivated him to sequester himself from human society, in order to carry out his obligation to Allah and not to add sin to the crime.

Much more: Here

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Greyhawk has listened to the pleadings of his wife and those in their comment section at Mudville Gazette and completed a version of “The Free and the Brave” in which the audio is much clearer than his initial attempt. (For those who still have a bit of difficulty with the lyrics, they are posted below the video at the site.)

This is a video which I hope receives some attention (and while we are small, every little bit helps), as not only does Greyhawk perform the song, he is also the composer.

A very rough cut of a song I wrote during my second tour of duty in Iraq, as part of the “surge” operation in the summer of 2007. I had no guitar or recording equipment on hand over there and this had to remain “in my head” for months until I returned home. I believe I’ve managed to transfer that music of the mind into digital reality without losing any of the original…

A salute to you sir, for your service to this country and for sharing with us personal feelings which I am certain would be echoed by many not only active duty or retired military, but those of us in civilian life who understand your sacrifice leads to our freedom.

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A must read “Letter to the Candidates” from Sgt. Hook.

HT:Lone Wolf at Blackfive where he writes:

Sgt. Hook has a Letter to the Candidates that should go to every politician, not just those running. It is well worth reading, and well worth sharing. It also echoes a message that I was asked to send by multiple enlisted soldiers this last embed. Note, enlisted: not officers, not senior NCOs, but enlisted. Grunts, line animals, the guys on the sharp end. The guys who are walking among and working with Iraqis every day and helping them not just rebuild, but build new and better lives and communities.

Sgt. Hook is active duty and currently serving his second tour in Iraq.

While we may not be exactly his target audience, I agree with Lone Wolf. This letter is definitely worth sharing.

If you have a spare moment, please take a look.

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It has never been my choice to debate the Iraq war with most. Each individual has their own thoughts as to whether or not we should have gone to Iraq initially, or how the battles both in Iraq and Afghanistan have been commanded.

I have always believed that once we have troops committed to war, it becomes our job as citizens to support them (even if we do not support the mission which they have been charged to see to completion.)

What has become evident in the recent past is that we are “winning” on many levels in Iraq. There is not quite the mention of the situation in Afghanistan which, of course, makes it more difficult to gauge in terms of success.

Today, Michael Barone writing at Townhall has provided excellent examples of the benefits of the “surge” in Iraq, and lays out relevant comparisons to others wars fought by our military under the command of past presidents.

The entire piece is a great read but I particularly enjoyed the final two paragraphs:

Lesson three is that it doesn’t pay to bet against America. As Walter Russell Mead explains in his trenchant (and entertaining) “God and Gold: Britain and America and the Making of the Modern World,” first Britain and then America have built the most prosperous and creative economies the world has ever seen and have prevailed in every major military conflict (except when they fought each other) since the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Many of those victories have been achieved in conflicts far more grueling than what we have faced in Iraq.

Some of George W. Bush’s critics seem to have relished the prospect of American defeat and some refuse to acknowledge the success that has been achieved. But it appears that they have “misunderestimated” him once again, and have “misunderestimated” the competence of the American military and of free peoples working from the bottom up to transform their societies for the better. It’s something to be thankful for as the new year begins.

My thoughts often turn to the simple fact that this war on terror fought under a different President who is not so despised, would be presented in an entirely different light.

That’s okay, those of us who are realistic realize that no Commander In Chief has ever sent troops to battle with a light heart, and, has never had the perfect scenario for winning. (I cannot think of one example where strategy has not been altered during a conflict.)

War is like life, there are no guarantees, no manuals which define your every move. Those who proudly wear the uniform of this great nation understand the tasks before them. Truth be known, and even with all the negative rhetoric we hear, I believe most Americans understand too.

HT:Transterrestrial Musings

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Even though John Murtha is trying to backtrack on his comment that the surge is working in order to get back into the good graces of his mentor, Nancy Pelosi, he said those words.

Harry Reid, on the other hand, will not admit the light at the end of the tunnel may not be a train. He says the surge is not working.

But Reid, in a Monday press conference, ceded no ground.

“The surge hasn’t accomplished its goals,” Reid said. “… We’re involved, still, in an intractable civil war.”

If everything in Iraq falls apart in the next year (and it could) then Harry Reid will be seen as a very bright man with foresight.

If, on the other hand, the surge does work and everything holds together with the Iraqis trained to protect their own, he’ll be seen just as another doomsayer who is hoping for failure in order to insure victory for his party in 2008.

Maybe he should take a trip as Murtha did and see for himself what is and what isn’t working.

I doubt anyone will tell him the central government of Iraq is working like a well-oiled machine, but then again I’m sure we had some growing pains too.

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…John Murtha says the surge is working.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha today said he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week, but he warned that Iraqis need to play a larger role in providing their own security and the Bush administration still must develop an exit strategy.

“I think the ’surge’ is working,” the Democrat said in a videoconference from his Johnstown office, describing the president’s decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis “have got to take care of themselves.”

Violence has dropped significantly in recent months, but Mr. Murtha said he was most encouraged by changes in the once-volatile Anbar province, where locals have started working closely with U.S. forces to isolate insurgents linked to Al Qaeda.

He said Iraqis need to duplicate that success at the national level, but the central government in Baghdad is “dysfunctional.”

He should recognize a dysfunctional central government when he sees one.

If only we could have gotten him to read Michael Yon’s posts and those of other milbloggers and folks on the scene, or if only he had listened to Gen. Petraeus instead of stuffing his ears with cotton plugs we could have spared the expense of sending him over to Iraq to tell us what we already know.

Of course the Iraqis have to take care of themselves and that’s what we are teaching them to do.

Boy! I’m impressed that Murtha is doing a 180, even if reluctantly. It’s kind of hard to deny success when it stares you in the face.

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There are citizens in Iraq who are grateful to America:

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers.

Thanks, Michael Yon, for passing this along.

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This Washington Post article says some military authorities are suggesting we declare victory over Al Qaeda in Iraq.

Others, including Admiral Fallon, head of CentCom and Gen. Petraeus think it would be a mistake to do so.

The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq.

But as the White House and its military commanders plan the next phase of the war, other officials have cautioned against taking what they see as a premature step that could create strategic and political difficulties for the United States. Such a declaration could fuel criticism that the Iraq conflict has become a civil war in which U.S. combat forces should not be involved. At the same time, the intelligence community, and some in the military itself, worry about underestimating an enemy that has shown great resilience in the past.

“I think it would be premature at this point,” a senior intelligence official said of a victory declaration over AQI, as the group is known. Despite recent U.S. gains, he said, AQI retains “the ability for surprise and for catastrophic attacks.” Earlier periods of optimism, such as immediately following the June 2006 death of AQI founder Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. air raid, not only proved unfounded but were followed by expanded operations by the militant organization.

There is widespread agreement that AQI has suffered major blows over the past three months. Among the indicators cited is a sharp drop in suicide bombings, the group’s signature attack, from more than 60 in January to around 30 a month since July. Captures and interrogations of AQI leaders over the summer had what a senior military intelligence official called a “cascade effect,” leading to other killings and captures. The flow of foreign fighters through Syria into Iraq has also diminished, although officials are unsure of the reason and are concerned that the broader al-Qaeda network may be diverting new recruits to Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Those who disagree with declaring victory over AQI say if they start another bombing campaign, no matter how small, it will give them the advantage again and would not play well with public opinion in the U.S.

Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, head of the Joint Special Operations Command’s operations in Iraq, is the chief promoter of a victory declaration and believes that AQI has been all but eliminated, the military intelligence official said. But Adm. William J. Fallon, the chief of U.S. Central Command, which oversees Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, is urging restraint, the official said. The military intelligence official, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity about Iraq assessments and strategy.

Senior U.S. commanders on the ground, including Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of U.S. forces in Iraq, have long complained that Central Command, along with the CIA, is too negative in its analyses. On this issue, however, Petraeus agrees with Fallon, the military intelligence official said.

For each assessment of progress against AQI, there is a cautionary note that comes from long and often painful experience. Despite the increased killings and captures of AQI members, Odierno said, “it only takes three people” to construct and detonate a suicide car bomb that can “kill thousands.” The goal, he said, is to make each attack less effective and lengthen the periods between them.

Right now, said another U.S. official, who declined even to be identified by the agency he works for, the data are “insufficient and difficult to measure.”

“AQI is definitely taking some hits,” the official said. “There is definite progress, and that is undeniable good news. But what we don’t know is how long it will last . . . and whether it’s sustainable. . . . They have withstood withering pressure for a long period of time.” Three months, he said, is not long enough to consider a trend sustainable.

What I think is most interesting about the whole piece is that the Washington Post is this far from acknowledging the surge is working.

I’ll go with General Petraeus. Let’s wait until we’re sure we’ve beaten and demoralized the devils before celebrating.

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According to an anonymous source in this article the United States will admit 12,000 Iraqi refugees by this time next year.

“Our plans for FY (fiscal year) 2008 include processing enough Iraqi refugees to admit 12,000 during the fiscal year,” which began Monday, the US official said on condition of anonymity.

The official’s comments came as US President George W. Bush told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in an official memorandum that the United States looked to welcome a maximum of 80,000 refugees over the next 12 months.

As of September 19, when it named a special coordinator for Iraqi refugees to help break the bureaucratic red tape that has held back thousands from entering the country, the US government had admitted about 900, well short of the target number of 7,000, according to official US figures.

I’m sure they will be thoroughly vetted. It seems only right to allow those who have helped us to get out of the country so they can be safe.

I would expect these to be mainly interpreters and people who have worked for the US interests in Iraq.

Once they are here I hope they like and assimilate to their new country. I also hope they bring some of their beautiful children with them.

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On several occasions we have posted links to the work of civilian embeds who travel with our troops in Iraq. I have a great deal of admiration for these individuals, as they are risking their own lives and existing in the same difficult conditions as our military on a daily basis.

The good and the bad, the failures and successes and the bravery and fortitude of our forces always come through in the articles by each of these men.

This piece from Bill Roggio gives us an up close and personal look at the situation in Baghdad. The capital has been the topic of much discussion and difference of opinion in the American press so I thought perhaps you might like a bit of firsthand information.

Compared to other regions south of Baghdad, where the Iraqi Police Volunteers and the Concerned Citizens have organized to fight al Qaeda, the eastern neighborhoods of Doura have no such organized security movement. The locals are “organized in an intelligence capacity but not in a security capacity,” Coffey stated. “There are no sheikhs or influential tribal leaders for the men to turn to,” as the tribal influences are marginalized in the bigger cities.

Coffey and his soldiers are seeking influential community leaders to organize the Sunnis and Christians to stand against al Qaeda. But in the interim, the local intelligence network is paying off dividends with IED finds and weapons caches turned in. The Iraqi sources tipped off US troops to the location of multiple IEDs during a single day’s operations. “Each day we get better and better tips,” Coffey said.

“The tide of anti-al Qaeda cooperation has rolled from Anbar province to the south of Baghdad and now into Baghdad itself,” said Coffey. “But it will take time.”

The question is, will the American people have the patience and understanding to allow for the time needed to bring peace to the country of Iraq. Only time will tell.

HT: Transterrestrial Musings

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I will attempt to transcribe the President’s address to the nation made this evening.

President Bush:

Good evening.

In the life of all free nations there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people.

We are now at such a moment. In Iraq, an ally of the United States is fighting for its survival. Terrorists and extremists who are at war with us around the world are seeking to topple Iraq’s government, dominate the region, and attack us here at home.

If Iraq’s young democracy can turn back these enemies it will mean a more hopeful middle east and a more secure America. This ally has placed its trust in the United States and tonight our moral and strategic comparitives are one. We must help Iraq defeat those who threaten its future and also threaten ours.

Eight months ago we adopted a new strategy to meet that objective, including a surge in U.S. forces that reached full strength in June.

This week General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before Congress about how that strategy is progressing. In their testimony these men made clear that our challenge in Iraq is formidable, yet they concluded that conditions in Iraq are improving; that we are seizing the initiative from the enemy and that the troop surge is working.

The premise of our strategy is that securing the Iraqi population is the foundation for all other progress. For Iraqis to bridge sectarian divides they need to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.

For lasting reconciliation to take root Iraqis must feel confident that they do not need sectarian gangs for security. The goal of the surge is to provide that security and to help prepare Iraqi forces to maintain it.

As I will explain tonight our success in meeting these objectives now allows us to begin bringing some of our troops home.

Since the surge was announced in January it has moved through several phases. First was the flow of additional troops into Iraq; especially Baghdad and Anbar Province.

Once these forces were in place our commanders launched a series of offensive operations to drive terrorists and militias out of their strongholds.

And finally, in areas that have been cleared we are surging diplomatic and civilian resources to insure that military progress is quickly followed up with real improvements in daily life.

Anbar Province is a good example of how our strategy is working. Last year an intelligence report concluded that Anbar had been lost to Al Qaeda. Some cited this report as evidence that we had failed in Iraq and should cut our losses and pull out.

Instead we kept the pressure on the terrorists. The local people were suffering under the Taliban-like rule of Al Qaeda, and they were sick of it so they asked us for help.

To take advantage of this opportunity I sent an additional 4,000 to Anbar as part of the surge. Together, local sheikhs, Iraqi forces and coalition troops drove the terrorists from the capital of Ramadi and other population centers.

Today, a city where Al Qaeda once planted its flag is beginning to return to normal. Anbar citizens who once feared beheading for talking to an American or Iraqi soldier now come forward to tell us where the terrorists are hiding.

Young Sunnis who once joined the insurgency are now joining the army and police. And with the help of our provincial reconstruction teams new jobs are being created and local governments are meeting again.

These developments do not often make the headlines, but they do make a difference. During my visit to Anbar on Labor Day local Sunni leaders thanked me for America’s support. They pledged they would never allow Al Qaeda to return and they told me they now see a place for their people in a democratic Iraq. The Sunni governor of Anbar Province put it this way: “Our tomorrow starts today.”

The changes in Anbar show all Iraqis what becomes possible when extremists are driven out. They show Al Qaeda that it cannot count on popular support, even in a province its leaders once declared their home base. And they showed the world that ordinary people in the Mid-East want the same things for their children that we want for ours: a decent life and a peaceful future.

In Anbar the enemy remains active and deadly. Earlier today one of the brave tribal sheikhs who helped lead the revolt against Al Qaeda was murdered. In response a fellow Sunni leader declared, “We are determined to strike back and continue our work.” And as they do they can count on the continued support of the United States.

Throughout Iraq too many citizens are being killed by terrorists and death squads, and for most Iraqis the quality of life is far from where it should be.

Yet General Petreaus and Ambassador Crocker report that the success in Anbar is beginning to be replicated in other parts of the country.

One year ago much of Baghdad was under seige. Schools were closed, markets were shuttered, and sectarian violence was spiraling out of control. Today most of Baghdad’s neighborhoods are being patrolled by Coalition and Iraqi forces who live among the people they protect. Many schools and markets are re-opening, citizens are coming forward with vital intelligence. Sectarian killings are down and ordinary life is beginning to return.

One year ago much of Diyala Province was a sanctuary for Al Qaeda and other extremist groups, and its capital of Baquoba was emerging as an Al Qaeda stronghold. Today Baquoba is cleared, Diyala Province is the site of a growing popular uprising against the extremists. And some local tribes are working alongside Coalition and Iraqi forces to clear out the enemy and reclaim their communities.

One year ago Shiia extremists and Iranian-backed militants were gaining strength and targeting Sunnis for assassination. Today, these groups are being broken up and many of their leaders are being captured or killed.

These gains are a tribute to our military. They are a tribute to the courage of the Iraqi security forces and they are a tribute to an Iraqi government who has decided to take on the extremists.

Now the Iraqi government must bring the same determination to achieving reconciliation. This is an enormous undertaking after more than three decades of tyranny and division. The government has not met its own legislative benchmarks, and in my meetings with Iraqi leaders I have made it clear that they must.

Yet Iraq’s national leaders are getting some things done. For example, they have passed a budget, they’re sharing oil revenues with the provinces. They are allowing former Baathists to rejoin Iraq’s military or receive government pensions. Local reconciliation is taking place. The key now is to link this progress in the provinces to progress in Baghdad. As local politics change, so will national politics.

Our troops in Iraq are performing brilliantly. Along with the Iraqi forces they have captured or killed an average of more than 1,500 enemy fighters per month since January. Yet ultimately the way forward depends on the ability of Iraqis to maintain security gains.

According to General Petraeus and a panel chaired by retired General Jim Jones the Iraqi Army is becoming more capable, although there’s still a great deal of work to be done to improve the national police.

Iraqi forces are receiving increased cooperation from local populations and this is improving their ability to hold areas that had been cleared.

Because of this success General Petraeus believes we have now reached the point where we can maintain our security gains with fewer American forces. He has recommended that we not replace about 2,200 marines scheduled to leave Anbar Province later this month. In addition, he says it will soon be possible to bring home an army combat brigade for a total force reduction of 5,700 troops by Christmas. And he expects that by July we will be able to reduce our troop levels in Iraq from 20 combat brigades to 15.

General Petraeus also recommends that in December we begin transitioning to the next phase of our strategy in Iraq. As terrorists are defeated, civil society takes root, and Iraqis assume more control over their own security our mission in Iraq will evolve.

Over time our troops will shift from leading operations to partnering with Iraqi forces and eventually to over-watching those forces. As this transition in our mission takes place our troops will focus on a more limited set of tasks including counter-terrorism operations and training, equipping and supporting Iraqi forces.

I have consulted with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, other members of my national security team, Iraqi officials and leaders of both parties in Congress. I have benefitted from their advice and I have accepted General Petraeus’ recommendations.

I have directed General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker to update their joint campaign plan for Iraq so we can adjust our military and civilian resources accordingly. I have also directed them to deliver another report to Congress in March. At that time they will provide a fresh assessment of the situation in Iraq and of the troop levels and resources we need to meet our national security objectives.

The principle guiding my decisions on troop levels in Iraq is Return on Success. The more successful we are the more American troops can return home. And in all we do I will insure that our commanders on the ground have the troops and flexibility they need to defeat the enemy.

Americans want our country to be safe and our troops to begin coming home from Iraq. Yet those of us who believe success in Iraq is essential to our security and those who believe we should begin bringing our troops home have been at odds. Now because of the measure of success we’re seeing in Iraq we can begin seeing troops come home. The way forward I have described tonight makes it possible for the first time in years for people who have been on opposite sides of this difficult debate to come together.

This vision for a reduced American presence also has support of Iraqi leaders from all communities. At the same time they understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends beyond my presidency. These Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America. And we are ready to begin building that relationship in a way that protects our interests in the region and requires many fewer American troops.

The success of a free Iraq is critical to the security of the United States. A free Iraq will deny Al Qaeda a safe haven. A free Iraq will counter the destructive ambitions of Iran. A free Iraq will marginalize extremists, unleash the talent of its people and be an anchor of stability in the region. A free Iraq will set an example for people across the Middle East. A free Iraq will be our partner in the fight against terror, and that will make us safer here at home.

Realizing this vision will be difficult but it is achievable. Our military commanders believe we can succeed. Our diplomats believe we can succeed and for the safety of future generations of Americans we must succeed.

If we were to be driven out of Iraq extremists of all strains would be emboldened, Al Qaeda could regain new roots and new sanctuaries. Iran would benefit from the chaos and would be encouraged in its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons and dominate the region. Extremists could control a key part of the global energy supply. Iraq could face a humanitarian nightmare, democracy movements would be violently reversed. We would leave our children to face a far more dangerous world. And as we saw on September 11, 2001, those dangers can reach our cities and kill our people.

Whatever political party you belong to, whatever your position on Iraq we should be able to agree that America has a vital interest in preventing chaos and providing hope in the Middle East. We should be able to agree that we must defeat Al Qaeda, counter Iran, help the Afghan government, work for peace in the Holy Land and strengthen our military so we can prevail in the struggle against terrorists and extremists.

So tonight I want to speak to members of the United States Congress: Let us come together on a policy of strength in the Middle East. I thank you for providing crucial funds and resources for our military and I ask you to join me in supporting the recommendations General Petraeus has made and the troop levels he has asked for.

To the Iraqi people: You have voted for freedom and now you are liberating your country from terrorists and death squads. You must demand that your leaders make the tough choices needed to achieve reconciliation. As you do have confidence that America does not abandon our friends and we will not abandon you.

To Iraq’s neighbors who seek peace: The violent extremists who targeted Iraq are also targeting you. The best way to secure your interests and protect your own people is to stand with the people of Iraq. That means using your economic and diplomatic leverage to strengthen the government in Baghdad. And it means the efforts by Iran and Syria to undermine that government must end.

To the international community: The success of a free Iraq matters to every civilized nation. We thank the 36 nations who have troops on the ground in Iraq and the many others who are helping that young democracy. We encourage all nations to help by implementing the international compact to revitalize Iraq’s economy, by participating in the neighbors’ conferences to boost cooperation and overcome differences in the region and by supporting the new and expanded mission of the United Nations in Iraq.

To our military personnel, intelligence officers, diplomats and civilians on the front lines in Iraq: You have done everything America has asked of you and the progress I have reported tonight is in large part because of your courage and hard effort. You are serving far from home. Our nation is grateful for your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your families.

Earlier this year I received an email from the family of Army Specialist Brandon Stoudt of Michigan. Brandon volunteered for the National Guard and was killed while serving in Baghdad. His family has suffered greatly, yet in their sorrow they see larger purpose. His wife Audrey says that Brandon felt called to serve and knew what he was fighting for. And his parents Tracy and Jeff wrote me this: “We believe this is a war of good and evil and we must win even if it cost the life of our own son. Freedom is not free.”

This country is blessed to have Americans like Brandon Stoudt who make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe from harm. They are doing so in a fight that is just and right and necessary. And now it falls to us to finish the work they have begun.

Some say the gains we are making in Iraq come too late. They are mistaken. It is never too late to deal a blow to Al Qaeda. It is never too late to advance freedom. And it is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win.

Good night, and God bless America.

I felt the president touched on every important subject in this debate over Iraq.

The surge is working and if allowed, the new strategy will also work and we can bring most of our troops home in victory instead of defeat.

We already know the Democratic leadership has denounced the Petraeus report and the president’s speech before either was ever heard, but this speech is meant to keep those who have opposed the cut and run strategy of that leadership on the side of victory.

I believe the president succeeded.

If you’d rather see the video go here.

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After the Petraeus report it seems the Congressional Democrats’ hope for Republican defections to order a quick withdrawal from Iraq is going to end up in frustration again.

Senate Republicans, bolstered by Army Gen. David H. Petraeus’ war report this week, are closing ranks and say Democrats will continue to fall far shy of the votes needed to force a pullout from Iraq.

Republicans facing intense antiwar pressure in home states, such as Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, and the party’s war critics, including Sens. Richard G. Lugar of Indiana and Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, say the general’s congressional testimony helped persuade them not to switch their votes.

“I’m supportive of a reasonable plan which they offered,” Mr. Lugar said on PBS’ “NewsHour” after Gen. Petraeus, U.S. commander in Iraq, called for withdrawing about 30,000 troops by July.

President Bush, in a prime-time address tonight, is expected to endorse the general’s plan to return to the pre-surge force strength of 130,000 troops by July.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who failed repeatedly to muster enough votes to compel the president to accept a pullout plan, yesterday said he will try again next week with measures to force significantly larger troop reductions.

“I call on Senate Republicans not to walk lockstep with the president as they have done for years,” the Nevada Democrat said. “It is time to come over and join us.”

Mr. Reid said Democrats will introduce four to six war bills, including measures for large-scale troop reductions and to transition the mission from combat to training Iraqi forces and conducting counterterrorism operations.

He did not provide details of the legislation, but the characterization of measures was nearly identical to failed bills from earlier this year.

Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott has been checking the votes and feels the Democrats will, once again, fall short of the 60 votes necessary to pass any of these bills.

Someone once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. This is the very definition of partisan insanity on the part of the Democrats, but they really don’t seem to have any plan other than get out of Iraq.

Republican leaders also say the Democrat-led Congress’ fixation on the war is preventing action on essential legislation, such as fixing the alternative minimum tax and passing spending bills for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.

Can anyone name any significant legislation passed by this Congress?

It’s been eight months since the Democrats took over the legislative branch of our federal government and, other than a minimum wage hike attached to a war funding bill, no significant legislation has been passed.

They say Americans voted for a change in November, and maybe they’re right, but I doubt the American electorate voted for the same futile votes to be taken over and over again.

The Senate is going to be hard for the Republicans in the next election due to retirements and so many senators’ terms being up for re-election.

Based on the last election I’d say things are very close in this country as the Democrats didn’t win huge majorities in either chamber or huge victories in many districts or states.

If the American people begin to see the surge working they are not likely to insist we give up. We like victory too much and I doubt we have changed that much over this one war.

Americans need to understand we must prevail in this war against radical Islam or we will all be doomed to their rule over us in the future.

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26,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops are on a new offensive in the Nineveh area of Iraq.

About 26,000 U.S. and Iraqi forces are taking part in an offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq in northern Iraq, the U.S. military said on Thursday.

Iraqis gather at the site of a U.S. airstrike on Baghdad Thursday. Residents said people were killed in their sleep.

The operation, Lightning Hammer II, is an extension of an earlier operation in Diyala province.

About 14,000 Iraqi security forces stationed throughout Nineveh province and 12,000 U.S. soldiers are conducting the operation, which started Wednesday evening.

The military said the operation “follows Lightning Hammer I … to deny al Qaeda safe haven in the provinces” of Salaheddin, Nineveh, Diyala, and Kirkuk.

The military said the original Operation Lightning Hammer — August 13 to September 1 — ousted militants from the Diyala River valley, northeast of Baquba, the capital of Diyala province.

“Al Qaeda cells were driven from Baquba in Diyala due to Operation Arrowhead Ripper in June and July and then pursued in the Diyala River valley during Operation Lighting Hammer in August,” Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commander of Task Force Lightning and Multinational Division-North.

Everytime I think of Nineveh I am reminded of the story of Jonah. Let’s hope another miracle is performed to clean that area again.

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*Updated and bumped to include this video of President Bush’s remarks.

Good for him. At least he goes over there to see how things are going by talking to the commanders and troops on the ground.

AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AP) – President Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq on Monday, using the war zone as a backdrop to argue his case that the buildup of U.S. troops is helping stabilizing the nation.

The president secretly flew 11 hours to Iraq as a showdown nears with Congress over whether his decision in January to order 30,000 more U.S. troops to Iraq is working.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived ahead of Bush, and convened a meeting with the country’s top political leaders to highlight Bush administration hopes for prodding Iraq into a “bottom-up” approach to national reconciliation.

Gates conferred with senior U.S. officials, including Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, before opening a session with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, and other top Iraqi officials from Baghdad.

Bush and his national security team flew directly to this air base in a remote part of Anbar province, bypassing Baghdad in a symbolic expression of impatience with political paralysis in the nation’s capital. The gesture underscored the U.S. belief that the spark for progress may come at the local level.

Story here.

And from this source we get a little more information:

To a large degree, the setting was the message: Bringing al-Maliki, a Shiite, to the heart of mostly Sunni Anbar province was intended to show the administration’s war critics that the beleaguered Iraqi leader is capable of reaching out to Sunnis, who ran the country for years under Saddam Hussein.

Bush has held up Anbar as an example of recent progress, especially on the security front, although the province is still economically deprived and not yet stable enough to turn over to full Iraqi control.

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Unnamed sources have told the AP the GAO will give a mostly negative report about the progress made by the Iraqi government in the benchmarks set by Washington in January.

WASHINGTON — Congressional auditors have determined that the Iraqi government has failed to meet the vast majority of political and military goals laid out by lawmakers to assess President Bush’s Iraq war strategy, The Associated Press has learned.

The Government Accountability Office, or GAO, will report that at least 13 of the 18 benchmarks to measure progress in the rush into Iraq of increased numbers of U.S. troops are unfulfilled ahead of a Sept. 15 deadline for Bush to give a detailed accounting of the situation eight months after he announced the policy, according to three officials familiar with the matter.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report is not yet public, also said the administration is preparing a case to downplay its findings, arguing that Congress ordered the GAO to use unfair, “all or nothing” standards when compiling the document.

The GAO is to give a classified briefing about its findings to lawmakers on Thursday. It is not yet clear when its unclassified report will be released, but it is due Sept. 1 amid a series of assessments called for in January legislation that authorized Bush’s plan to send 30,000 more troops to Iraq. The Americans already have more than 160,000 in-country.

I guess it all depends on how one measures progress. How much legislation the people wanted when we elected our Congress has been passed since January?

We’re heading into September and no sign of an official budget has been seen as ready by our Congress.

What major accomplishments have our experienced Congress members made since January? Can you name them? Some would say the minimum wage increase but that was tacked onto a war funding bill and not done as a standalone.

The pork has been sliced pretty well for all those folks back home though. Served with gravy and all the other trimmings.

So far what I’ve seen from our Congress are members standing on steps or in offices or hallways to proclaim there’s a new sheriff in town or a new investigation being launched or they have a mandate to do certain things such as stop the war, and that’s all they’ve done.

If we compare the two maybe Iraq’s government comes out ahead or at least is equal to the dismal job our Congress has done.

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