WP: U.S. Still Waiting For Iraqi Forces To 'Stand Up'

[grytpype]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093000492.html?nav=rss_world

Sorry I don't have time to excerpt it, but read it. It will make your blood turn cold.

Under optimistic projections, it will take 3-5 years to "stand up" the Iraqi army.

At that point (!) we can start to draw down combat troops.(only about 18,000 of our troops in Iraq are combat troops).

But the IA will still need logistic, supply, intelligence, air support, etc. for at least 10 more years.

That's what US Army officers are saying.

on edit: Did I mention that's the optimistic case?

[cliss]

1. Thanks for posting this, Gryt.

They already know this. THEY KNOW.

Notice, you don't ever hear any more Stand Up crap, or Together Forward, or Plan for Iraq, or any of that Happy Horse Shit. They've just quit doing it, because they know.

We have just entered our Dien Bien Phu moment.

[calimary]

2. Well, then, I'd like to fast-forward to the part where the helicopters

have arrived over the compound in Saigon to start evacuating Americans. When can we start evacuating our guys from Iraq? We need to start that IMMEDIATELY. I'm not interested in any fucking timetable for withdrawal. I want them OUT OF THERE - NOW!!!! THIS MINUTE!!! Let the departures begin - NOW. We don't have to set any timetables. We don't have to "issue a schedule to the enemy" about when we're gonna be leaving. We don't have to fuck with ANY of that. All we have to do is just - GET THE HELL OUT. NOW.

[NOLADEM]

3. They will never stand up with us. NEVER.

Those that are currently soldiers are either militia members or insurgent sympathizers, getting intel, a paycheck, food, clothing, weapons and training, then they leave and fight against us, and inform their buddies while still enlisted.

There are of course a few people trying to fight the insurgency and are behind the 'Coalition', but they are not long for this world.

Why would they help us? Why? We are there only for our own benefit, at their expense. The faster they can get us out the better off they will be. Otherwise, we will continue to attempt to siphon off their oil while using them as a forward base to antagonize their Muslim brothers. They have little incentive to assist us in defeating their people.

[pwb]

4. they refuse to fight far from home WTF?

that must really cheer up our troops ha .

[Barrett808]

7. Welcome to DU, pwb!

:hi:

[ckramer]

5. Think Vietnam

Meanwhile, keep wasting money and lives on Iraq.

[truthisfreedom]

6. placing it firmly in the next presidency, and we have to clean up another

goddamned gop mess.