Anbar Turned Over To Iraqis

If you had told me, this time in 2004, that we'd be turning over Al-Anbar province to the Iraqis-- and not part of some shameful withdrawal, but with a real prospect of success-- I'd have said that you were smoking crack.

How did we get here? National leadership, and theater leadership, that learned some hard lessons and refused to give up. There was never a question that the Marines and sailors and soldiers were up to the task. The big question was whether the senior leaders in and out of uniform would also have the stones to stick it out. After Fallujah One and over the summer of 2004, I wouldn't have made a bet on it. But, instead, here we are.

We got here by dint of strong, hard decsions from the top; by incorporating the lessons of mistakes and missteps; by the willingness of commanders on the ground to grasp the situation, and then take the risks needed to gain the trust and goodwill of the population. We got here by the never-ending hard work and can-do attitude of tens of thousands of Americans and Iraqis and allies, living and fighting under discomfort and near-constant attack. We got here by the sacrifice of hundreds and hundreds of good young men and women, who did their duty regardless of the danger, and paid the ultimate price.

This doesn't mean the end of the Iraq campaign, and Anbar has a tough row to hoe, but they now have a fighting chance. They have an opportunity to succeed.

September 1, 2008 11:18 AM News From Iraq

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Comments

Dream on

Kurt · September 2, 2008 03:48 AM

could you elaborate kurt?

John · September 2, 2008 08:10 AM

Yes, Kurt. Do tell.

LtCol P · September 2, 2008 08:54 AM

Dream on?

As in our "National leadership, and theater leadership, that learned some hard lessons and refused to give up."?

Or in that "They [Iraq] have an opportunity to succeed."?

Lawrence · September 3, 2008 07:10 AM

One thing we must never forget, I suppose, is that Islamic culture thrives on conflict and war.

It doesn't matter what we do their, they will refuse to accept a peaceful existence. At least an existence that we would consider peaceful, anyway.

However, we can "help" them pursue their own brand of chaotic culture within the confines of their own national borders, without throwing the rest of the world into chaos.

Anonymous · September 3, 2008 07:14 AM

Forgot to sign my previous anonymous post. Sorry.

Lawrence · September 3, 2008 07:16 AM