The Patraeus Report is alot more critical than I expected

[Flabbergasted]

Even a modest drawdown in troops will help Pubs in November.


Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/09/07/ap4095265.html

Petraeus Eyes Troop Drawdown in Spring
By PAULINE JELINEK
09.07.07, 6:54 PM ET


WASHINGTON - Previewing a widely anticipated report to Congress, the top U.S. commander in Iraq says some troop withdrawals may be possible next spring, and the troop buildup of recent months has failed to yield political reform in Baghdad.

"It has not worked out as we had hoped," Gen. David Petraeus wrote U.S. forces in a letter Friday summarizing the results of the troop increase President Bush ordered last winter.

Petraeus wrote that U.S. military forces have chalked up significant gains in recent months. "In fact, the number of attacks across the country has declined in eight of the past 11 weeks, reaching during the last week in August a level not seen since June 2006."

At the same time, he told the men and women under his command they "operate against a backdrop of limited Iraqi government capacity, institutions trying to rebuild and various forms of corruption."

The letter dovetailed with an e-mail message to the Boston Globe, in which Petraeus said he expects that some troops scheduled to return home in the spring of 2008 could leave Iraq without replacements.

"Based on the progress our forces are achieving, I expect to be able to recommend that some of our forces will be redeployed without replacement," Petraeus told the paper.

"The bottom line is that ... I do not envision that the U.S. would need to send more troops," he said, adding that commanders are planning for how remaining troops will be deployed around Iraq "as the surge of forces inevitably runs its course."

The general is scheduled to make a formal report to Bush in the coming days, to be followed by appearances before congressional committees beginning on Monday. His report comes at a pivotal point, with Congress just back from its summer vacation, and the administration seeking fresh funding for the politically unpopular conflict.

Petraeus' two-page letter to the troops made no mention of a troop withdrawal, dealing, instead, with progress to date of Bush's so-called "surge" in troops.

"Many of us had hoped this summer would be a time of tangible political progress. ... One of the justifications for the surge, after all, was that it would help create the space for Iraqi leaders to tackle the tough questions and agree on key pieces of 'national reconciliation' legislation," the letter said.

"It has not worked out as we had hoped," Petraeus said in the letter, adding that a summit of Iraqi leaders in late August "has given hope that they are up to the task before them, even if it is clearly taking more time than we initially expected."

[Hissyspit]

1. Of course it didn't work!

Jesus fucking Christ.

[Flabbergasted]

3. No one expected it to work but I expected much more of a "silver lining"

[ulysses]

2. so, what are the odds

that the elected Dems have now sat around on their thumbs long enough to let the GOP look like the heroes in bringing the troops home?

[Joe for Clark]

4. No it doesn't. You know you can lie just by not saying the whole

truth.

The purpose of that "surge" - and that word makes me sick - was to give limited time to the Iraqi government to get its act together. It was paid in blood.

They didn't. They haven't and clearly they are not going to do it.

Doesn't it strike as true that there may be agendas playing out in that government that do not want to make any deal???

As an aside -

It is said, you know - the past could be used to prove anything or its contrary - I think Sir Howard said that. SO be very wary of anyone trying to put historical context to this. There is not one there. All historical context is wrapped in the culture of the time it occurs. It is ethnocentric at best.

This isn't about history - and that is what he alludes to in making such judgements - this is just common sense.

This is literally like the sayings of con men - "who are you going to believe, me or your lieing eyes?"

Joe

[Flabbergasted]

5. The purpose of the surge was to give Bush more time not Iraq.

[Joe for Clark]

6. I think that is so sad but true right now.

[jpgray]

7. Number of attacks down, number of deaths up

Um, hooray?

:eyes:

[Quixote1818]

8. Maybe Daddy Bush and Jim Baker have been going behind George's back

and telling Patraeus to get us the fuck out of there.

[Flabbergasted]

9. That would be nice.

[Joe for Clark]

10. There is one other point to this I guess -

What ever his report gets to say after white house censors it - what does he say under questioning? Are there going to be probing questions? Is he going to be point blank honest??

I really think in retroscpect - any attempt to be less that forth right by him - assuming the questions are probing, will be met with some very harsh sentiments from the kids actually doing the fighting.

And I think - and he should understand - That article in the times a few weeks ago by those 82nd airborne kids was a direct "shot over the bow".

That I think they will call bullshit - if thats what comes out of his mouth.

And not by "reservists from Glendale" (apologies to Pauly Shore et al)- so to speak.

Joe

[Flabbergasted]

Good Point

[Flabbergasted]

11. Good Point