Good, bad news in Iraq

What great news that July’s 13 U.S. troop deaths in Iraq were the fewest in any month since the war began in March 2003, and that President Bush is talking about more troop withdrawals. But how disappointing that a political deadlock is preventing Iraqi leaders from settling a power-sharing dispute and proceeding with provincial elections. There is more disagreement between the Kurds and the central Iraqi government over a new oil law. The surge was meant to promote political progress as well as quell violence.

9 Comments

  1. Regular
    Posted August 4, 2008 at 1:15 pm | Permalink

    Kurds hate Iraqis. Kurds hate Turks. Kurds hate Iranians. Kurds hate other Kurds. But other than that, they are good people.

  2. bth
    Posted August 4, 2008 at 1:23 pm | Permalink

    “The surge was meant to promote political progress as well as quell violence”

    Not according to McBush. All we need to do is show that we can out-gun them and subjugate them indefinitely.

    /sarcasm off

  3. Phantom
    Posted August 4, 2008 at 1:41 pm | Permalink

    Their civil war will come on the division of oil, along ethnic/religious lines.

  4. Cade Williamson
    Posted August 4, 2008 at 8:05 pm | Permalink

    Political progress is the doubling on violence. If you and the central Iraqi government both have Blackjack it is political progress. If this particular card counting technique does not work for you, find 13 U..

  5. American_Way
    Posted August 4, 2008 at 8:28 pm | Permalink

    Posted seven + hours ago and only half a dozen posts.

    Libs would have to confess the surge – sending more Americans into war, worked.

    chirp! chirp!

  6. Phantom
    Posted August 4, 2008 at 8:45 pm | Permalink

    The chirping is coming from the political progress being made, you know, the reason so many good Americans died, surging.

  7. beber
    Posted August 5, 2008 at 6:20 am | Permalink

    I suspect one reason the deaths are down is that U.S. troops are being deployed in such a way as to minimize casualties.

  8. beber
    Posted August 5, 2008 at 6:23 am | Permalink

    I talked to the mother of one of the civilian bigwigs in Iraq the other day. It costs $12,000 to take him to the airport, she said. An entire protective convoy is required, and the road to the airport is still very dangerous.

  9. bth
    Posted August 5, 2008 at 9:55 am | Permalink

    beber – who makes the 12 grand? Blackwater?

    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!