Pentagon: Iraq Insurgency Steady Until '07

[Eugene]

Pentagon: Iraq Insurgency Steady Until '07


Tuesday May 30, 2006 10:16 PM

AP Photo DCPM109

By ROBERT BURNS

AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Sunni Arab heart of the Iraqi insurgency seems likely
to hold its strength the rest of the year, and some of its leaders are now
collaborating with al-Qaida terrorists, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

In a report assessing the situation in Iraq, required quarterly by Congress,
the Pentagon painted a mixed picture on a day when the U.S. military command
in Baghdad said 1,500 more combat troops have arrived in the country.
The extra troops are part of an intensified effort to wrest control of the
provincial capital of Ramadi from insurgents.

The report to Congress offered a relatively dim picture of economic progress,
with few gains in improving basic services like electricity, and it provided
no promises of U.S. troop reductions anytime soon.

On the other hand, it said the Iraqi army is gaining strength and taking lead
responsibility for security in more areas.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5855400,00.html

[shadowknows69]

1. and the beat goes on

here's a clue for the pentagon. insurgencies don't wane they gain momentum. ask the russians about afghanistan. oh wait. we are already learning that lesson too.

[Rex]

2. So after 3 plus years, Iraqis are still drinking untreated water

and begging for a few hours of electricity!? I see how it works now; we overthrow a dictator and the people are already accustomed to bad conditions. Now conditions are unlivable so what can we do? Throw some more money on the fire!!! That will fix it! :crazy:

[shadowknows69]

3. I'll bet they're growing the flowers to throw at our feet right now.

n/t

[gratuitous]

6. To throw at our feet or plant on our graves

One of the two. The Pentagon now acknowledges that the insurgency is coordinating with Al Qaeda. So, even though Al Qaeda was pretty much out of Saddam's Iraq (the two -- secularist and religious fanatics -- were sworn enemies), it's now there, so Bush's assertions from three years ago have come 180° from being dead wrong to absolutely right.

This, of course, will be painted as "progress" by the Bush admnistration.

[kiraboo]

4. Yeah. And then it's gonna just disappear.

We need the Pentagon to tell us this?

[frylock]

8. yeah. and then it's gonna just disappear..

but only if you vote republican.

[subterranean]

5. So when's the next turning point?

[Amonester]

7. So according to the liars they R in the last throes of their last throes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1316596

(How long last throes R supposed to last?) :crazy:

[Barrett808]

9. I take this to mean the insurgency will steadily worsen

Until we're simply forced to leave.

[HuffleClaw]

10. the iraqis are biding their time

waiting until the yanks have committed all their reserves and then will mount a 'tet'-style offensive is my take. i'm guessing it won't be long either.

[The_Casual_Observer]

11. Time is on their side. This bullshit about predicting their demise

is pure wishful thinking. So far they haven't even identified who the "enemy" is much less how long they can hold out. The tet deal is coming, it might be months or years away, who knows?

[Eugene]

12. Boston Globe: Insurgent attacks in Iraq at highest level in 2 years

Insurgent attacks in Iraq at highest level in 2 years
Militants exploiting political uncertainty, Pentagon says

By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff | May 31, 2006

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon reported yesterday that the frequency of insurgent attacks
against troops and civilians is at its highest level since American commanders began
tracking such figures two years ago, an ominous sign that, despite three years of combat,
the US-led coalition forces haven't significantly weakened the Iraq insurgency.

<snip>

"Overall, average weekly attacks during this `Government Transition' period were higher
than any of the previous periods," the report states. "Reasons for the high level
of attacks may include terrorist and insurgent attempts to exploit a perceived inability
of the Iraqi government to constitute itself effectively, the rise of ethno sectarian
attacks . . . and enemy efforts to derail the political process leading to a new
government."

<snip>

Full article: http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/05/31/insurgent_attacks_in_iraq_at_highest_level_in_2_years
(Boston Globe - free registration may be required)

Also: Intensity grows with each attack - Brookings Institute (AP)

[llmart]

13. Well, I sure hope the "insurgents"............

are listening to our wonderful Pentagon so that once January 1, 2007 gets here they can pack it up and call it a day.

Does anyone in this country believe anything the Pentagon says any more? How ludicrous do you find this statement?

[KeepItReal]

14. So just when construction on American Embassy is done, bad guys just quit?

How convenient.

Just read an article that says construction on the "104-acre complex" is gonna be done in 2007.

Lucky Bush & Co, huh?