In Iraq, more bad news: Gen. George W. Casey Jr. told Congress Thursday that at present, only one Iraqi battalion is prepared to fight the insurgency without U.S. help — down from three battalions reported to be ready just a few months ago.
That’s bad news, considering that any significant U.S. troop withdrawal in 2006 has been linked to Iraqi troops’ ability to stand on their own. A political solution to the insurgency is looking equally remote, because the new draft constitution has failed to win over the Sunnis. Even if, as expected, Iraqis approve the constitution in the upcoming vote, a full-blown civil war could still erupt.
Meanwhile, the devastating bombings continue.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tried to put a positive spin on the Iraqi troop news, but not many in Congress were buying it. At some point, results speak louder than words. Where are the results in Iraq? Where is the plan for either victory or a credible exit?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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