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by Frank James
Ever since the surge in Iraq began, national security and other experts have expressed concerns about what would happen to the security gains on the ground in the violence-stricken nature once the surge ended.
Such concerns have evidently led Defense Secretary Robert Gates to conclude it would be better to slow down, or "pause" as he put it today during a visit to Iraq, the withdrawal of the U.S. miltary's surge forces from Iraq.
Here's the top of the Associated Press's report on Gates's statement:
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq (AP) — In a clear sign the drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq will be suspended, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday he favors taking time this summer to assess security gains before more troops leave the country, an idea President Bush is expected to support.
It was Gates' first public endorsement of a possible suspension, and it would seem to mark an end to the Pentagon chief's previously stated hope that conditions in Iraq would permit American troops to withdraw in the second half of this year as rapidly as they are leaving now.
"A brief period of consolidation and evaluation probably does make sense," Gates told reporters during a short stop at this U.S. base in southern Baghdad. He had just finished private meetings with Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and the No. 2 commander, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno.
Gates did not say how long the pause might last, noting that it ultimately would be a decision for the president.
In separate remarks, Gates described al-Qaida in Iraq, the insurgent group that U.S. officials say is led by a small number of foreign fighters with links to Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, as having been "routed." That is an unusually strong characterization by Gates of the damage done to al-Qaida, which has been largely pushed out of Baghdad but is still seen by U.S. commanders as a serious threat.
Petraeus and Odierno both have said publicly in recent weeks that they would like to see a "period of assessment" after July in order to get a clearer indication of how troop cuts by then are working. Neither has said for how long.
The logic of a pause, perhaps through September and possibly longer, rests on the fact that the current schedule for troop reductions through July leaves open the possibility that as the Americans leave in increasingly big numbers, security gains — described by Gates Monday as "fragile" — may be eroded or lost...
Gates's comments elicited this response from Sen. Barack Obama's campaign:
"I strongly disagree with the Administration's plans to "pause" the long overdue removal of our combat brigades from Iraq. We cannot wage war without end in Iraq while ignoring mounting costs to our troops and their families, our security and our economy. While the Administration puts our drawdown on permanent pause, bin Laden is on the loose, Afghanistan is sliding toward chaos, and we're spending billions of dollars a week in Baghdad instead of helping Americans who are struggling here at home. Our military leaders are concerned that Iraq is setting back our ability to respond to other priorities, and a Blue Ribbon Panel warned late last month that our National Guard is short of the equipment it needs to address crises at home. Instead of false promises and a faulty strategy, the American people need a rapid and responsible removal of our combat brigades that relieves the burden on our military, pressures the Iraqis to reconcile, and allows us to finally focus on the priorities that George Bush has neglected."
And here's Sen. Hillary Clinton's criticism of Gates's remarks:
“I want to say one other thing, and that is, I was very disheartened to hear Secretary Gates, as reported today, suggest that the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq would not continue at the pace that had been expected.
“This means that we will have as many troops in Iraq in the summer of 2008 as we had at the beginning of 2007. I continue to call on the President to end the war he started, to take responsibly for bringing our young men and women home. I have said repeatedly that there is no military solution, and it's time for the American military to be relieved from the responsibility of refereeing the Iraqi Civil War. It is clear that in the absence of a military solution, which I think this announcement today obviously confirms, the Iraqi government will not take the steps that were expected and even demanded.
“The whole idea behind this so-called surge was to give the Iraqi government the space and time to make the tough decisions that only they can make for themselves and the future of their country. So I will continue to press hard, both in the Congress and on the campaign trail for this President to end this war before he leaves office.
“If that doesn’t happen, then I will immediately, upon taking office, implement the plan that I have put forth to be able to start withdrawing our troops within 60 days, and make it very clear to the Iraqi government that they do not have a blank check. They have to begin to make the decisions that only they can make.”
Comments
This whole "surge" business has always been a joke.
This inept adminisration acts like that because some of our troops "might" be coming home that it's cause for great celebration of a victory.
Those troops were coming home anyway because their tours were extended by Prez Chimpy from 12 to 15 months (which is breaking the military).
The whole reason given for the "surge" was to give the puppet Iraqi government time to reconcile and they have done diddly squat.
These people have been fighting each other for 1300 years, we could stay in Iraq for 100 years (like John McCrazy want's to do) and it wouldn't change a damn thing.
Mission Failed!
Posted by: John E | February 11, 2008 2:28 PM
January 21, 2009: As my first act as president, I have signed an executive order that will send George W Bush, Dick Cheney, John McCain, Donald Rumsfeld, and Condi Rice to Iraq where they shall remain as US Ambassadors until a democracy is established.
Posted by: Barack Obama | February 11, 2008 2:31 PM
Here we go again!!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | February 11, 2008 2:39 PM
"GEORGE BUSH FINDS GUARD RECORDS"
YEA RIGHT. YA'LL DIDN'T THINK I WAS SERIOUS DID YOU. YA'LL DIDN'T THINK I WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THAT "SURGE" STUFF. OF COURSE I'M LISTENING TO THE GENERAL ON THE GROUND.
OF COURSE I SAID ONE THING BUT MEANT ANOTHER. IT'S HARD WORK, AND WE ARE WORKING HARD AT GETTING THAT "OIL RECONCILIATION" AT ALL COST. EVEN THE LIVES OF MORE AND MORE OF FINEST AND BRAVEST.
"MARK UP / MARK DOWN" WELL THAT IS THE AMERICAN SALES WAY." YOU BOUGHT IT BEFORE, AND PAID FOR IT IN EVERY "EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL" I DEMANDED FROM THE 108, 109TH CONGRESS.
140 PLUS 30 = 170 MINUS 20 EQUAL 150,000. THAT IS LESS THAN WHEN WE STARTED AND A BETTER PROJECTION THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT WHEN WE STARTED THIS 6 YEAR QUAGMIRE.
THINGS JUST GOT A LITTLE AUGMENTATED WHEN CONDI GOT INVOLVED.
BUT THE SURGE IS WORKING, 1200 IRAQI PEOPLE LEAVE THE COUNTRY EVERY DAY THUS ELIMINATING ANY REOCCURENCE OF PEOPLE OR VIOLENCE IN IRAQ.
I THINK IT'S JUST US AND THE 10 COALITION MILITARY MEMBER LEFT IN IRAQ.
"NOW THAT IS SUCCESS"
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 11, 2008 4:59 PM
Counter Insurgency is not for sissies.
Sissies go hide under the bed.
When you are protecting communtities
from foriegn jihaidis who blow up the locals while they shop.
You need courage to move in and pick up the broken bodies.
And people speak of what it takes to help secure Darfur?
please...
It takes a commitment of the heart
to secure a whole generation of Iraqis
from ignorance and violence.
Posted by: Steve Real | February 11, 2008 5:13 PM
When you are protecting communtities
from foriegn jihaidis who blow up the locals while they shop.
You need courage to move in and pick up the broken bodies.
And people speak of what it takes to help secure Darfur?
please...
It takes a commitment of the heart
to secure a whole generation of Iraqis
from ignorance and violence.
Posted by: Steve Real | February 11, 2008 05:13 PM
Real Chickenhawk,
Al-Qaeda wasn't in Iraq before we invaded. In fact when the "surge" began this adminstration admitted that Al-Qaeda only accounted for 2% of the overall violence...and now we have them blaming every bombing and shooting on "Al-Qaeda".
We're creating more violence, you moron....
Posted by: John E | February 11, 2008 5:42 PM
To John E
The statistical truth is that 50% of all car and truck bombings are from Saudi Jihadis alone.
The Iraqis are not as found as killing their fellow Iraqis 'John E'
as the Saudi Jihadis want to kill their fellow muslims.
You can either toughen up and help the Iraqi civilians John E.
or you can go hide under the bed.
It is obvious to me John E.,
that you do not have the stomach to protect the innocent civilian in Iraq.
Go hide under the bed.
Posted by: S | February 12, 2008 7:18 AM
The statistical truth is that 50% of all car and truck bombings are from Saudi Jihadis alone.
The Iraqis are not as found as killing their fellow Iraqis John E., as the Saudi Jihadis who want to kill their fellow muslims.
You can either toughen up and help the Iraqi civilians John E.
or you can go hide under the bed?
It is obvious to me John E. that you do not have the stomach to protect the innocent civilian in Iraq.
Go hide under the bed.
Posted by: Steve Real | February 12, 2008 7:19 AM
Steve Real-
Saudi Jihadis? Well then , if they are the problem, why don't we invade Saudi Arabia?
Steve are you in Iraq, or hiding under the bed?
Posted by: Michael | February 12, 2008 9:00 AM
I had the pleasure of touring with the US Navy in 2004.
Maybe, you'd like to offer US Military your services young Michael.
When we left Vietnam in 1975 is when the real "killing fields" started, is that the type of charity that you want to offer our good friends from Baghdad Michael?
Posted by: Steve Real | February 12, 2008 10:44 AM
We maybe the Thespians to Spartas "300"
(the bar brawler vs. the professional soldier),
but at least we showed up.
I didn't see you there young Michael.
Posted by: Steve Real | February 12, 2008 11:17 AM
Steve Real:
1. You think the war in Iraq is important enough to us that any one of us should be willing to die in it; or
2. You don't think so.
If the former, please explain why you're not there. If the latter, please explain why you want others to die in an unimportant cause.
Quite ironic that a coward like Steve Real would call others "sissies." The "reality" is that we all know it's not a necessary, critical, or even very important cause in the grand scheme of things. Those who oppose the war have integrity to say so. Those who support the war through words but not actions are phonies.
Posted by: a blinkin | February 12, 2008 12:39 PM
Touring with the US navy?
What does that mean tough guy? Doesn't sound like you served in the US Navy.
Posted by: Michael | February 12, 2008 5:05 PM
Blinkin
You don't have the balls to even step in
as a civilian contractor and niether does Micheal.
Let's just get that striaght 'right off the bat'.
Charity and compassion for the next generation of Afghanis and Iraqis takes real commitment of the heart.
It sounds to me
like you fellas never even donated blood to the Red Cross.
Charity and compassion is not for Sissies
Sissies go hide under the bed.
Posted by: Steve Real | February 17, 2008 7:09 AM