Secret Reports Dispute White House Optimism

[cal04]

On May 22, 2006, President Bush spoke in Chicago and gave a characteristically upbeat forecast: "Years from now, people will look back on the formation of a unity government in Iraq as a decisive moment in the story of liberty, a moment when freedom gained a firm foothold in the Middle East and the forces of terror began their long retreat."

Two days later, the intelligence division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff circulated a secret intelligence assessment to the White House that contradicted the president's forecast.

Instead of a "long retreat," the report forecast a more violent 2007: "Insurgents and terrorists retain the resources and capabilities to sustain and even increase current level of violence through the next year."

A graph included in the assessment measured attacks from May 2003 to May 2006. It showed some significant dips, but the current number of attacks against U.S.-led coalition forces and Iraqi authorities was as high as it had ever been -- exceeding 3,500 a month. The assessment also included a pessimistic report on crude oil production, the delivery of electricity and political progress.

more
Bob Woodward
Sunday, October 1, 2006; Page A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093000293.html

[Phredicles]

1. So is '07 when the Green Zone looks like this?

[arewenotdemo]

2. It may not happen in 2007

But it eventually will happen.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Yes with one exception.

They'll be extracting the troops with the significantly larger and more modern Chinook Helicopter. ;)

[Egnever]

4. That is an insane picture

amazing piloting going on there. It may be easy to do, I have no way of knowing but it is an extremely impressive looking feat non the less.