America's Debate > Where do we stand--really--in Iraq?

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quick

May 22 2008, 09:01 PM

Below are excerpts from an article by ABC News (link below):

QUOTE

Turning Point: The Good News About Iraq
Iraqi Forces Are Leading Operations in Three Iraqi Cities With Little U.S. Support
By JONATHAN KARL
May 22, 2008—

As Gen. David Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for confirmation hearings today, things are looking up in Iraq. Despite the recent gun battles and civilian casualties we have seen in Sadr City, there are some real signs of progress. Military officials are more optimistic now than they have been at any time since the purple-finger elections of January 2005. Consider:

(i) Iraqi forces are now leading operations in Basra, Mosul and Sadr City. In each case, the Iraqis have made progress with relatively little American support. This is unprecedented: three major Iraqi-led operations in three different parts of the country; (ii) Last week, the overall level of attacks in Iraq was at the lowest point since April 2004; So far in May, the U.S. death rate is the lowest of the war. This is a morbid statistic that can change with a single large attack, but so far 14 Americans have been killed this month, a death rate of .76 per day, by far the lowest of the war. Five of those deaths came on May 1; another two were non-hostile. Over the last two weeks, a total of six Americans have been killed in hostile action; (iii) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's political position has never been stronger. Just two months ago, senior Iraqi officials were openly talking about replacing Maliki. There is now no such talk. Maliki currently has the backing of Sunnis, Kurds and moderate Shiites; (iv) Maliki's stronger position means that Moqtada al-Sadr's party is politically isolated. For now at least, Sadr is no longer the political power broker he once was; and (v) On May 8, the speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Mahmoud al-Mishhadani, wrote a heartfelt letter to President Bush, thanking the U.S. for sending the "best politicians and military commanders" to Iraq. Mishhadani urged Bush to keep Gen. Petraeus in Iraq. His letter was not reported in the Western press, but it is a significant sign of political progress. Just a year ago, Mishhadani, a Sunni, said attacks on U.S. forces are justified and called Sunni insurgents who kill American troops "heroes." ...

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Blotter/sto...9213&page=1

Questions:

1) Have we turned the corner in Iraq?

2) Do you consider ABC News a reliable source?

3) What impact will the run-up to this election have on the conditions in Iraq?

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Zack

May 23 2008, 01:31 AM

1) Have we turned the corner in Iraq?Yes, every indication is that the Iraqi security forces are more able with every passing day. I watch many of the hearings in the Senate and House it is clear Iraq is moving toward stability. Today the Senate approved a war spending bill with 77 vote majority that carries funding forward well into the next presidents administration. More importantly, the Senate rejected legislation that would place time tables for withdraw and other restrictions on the executive branch.
2) Do you consider ABC News a reliable source?I don't watch any network news.
3) What impact will the run-up to this election have on the conditions in Iraq? Iran could attempt to destabilize the region leading up to election day to disturb voter sentiment to cut and run verses to staying and stabilizing the nation. Perhaps Iranian backed Hezbollah will start another war with Israel from Lebanon or a similar clandestine force will disrupt peace in Iraq, perhaps even causing heavy US casualties on a bet the American people will vote out a war backer. The problem for Iran is president Bush will strike back even if they act on Jan. 19 if they get too stupid.

DCjumper

May 28 2008, 06:24 AM

You know it's funny, ABC has been home to some the most intollerable so-called "journalists", but to some on the Left they are "Fox-lite", so any positive news from Iraq will be discounted.

Have we turned the corner in Iraq? I'd say we have by this point. The forces fielded by the Iraqis are still inadequate but at the mere fact they're capable of taking Sadr City and that's definitely a sign that we're headed in the right direction. My greatest concern however lies with the somewhat dysfunctional Iraqi government and its inability to reconcile. Still, there are increased signs of hope and when likes of O'Hannlon and Pollack say this is a "war we just might win" you have to wonder if they have seen the light (though their collective admissions of progress are draped in proverbial Bush bash du jour) All of this may come too late however and the coverage of our success has been dwindling in the press. I'm not even sure it can be brought for serious debate in the general election save to smack it over John Mc Cain's brow (ironic really as Mc Cain advocated strongly for a counter insurgency strategy from nearly the beginning).

net2007

May 28 2008, 07:39 AM

1) Have we turned the corner in Iraq?

Absolutely, there is no denying it. Many argue its temporary or only good news regarding a war that has no purpose, which I disagre with. In any case a corner has indeed been turned, that much is undeniable. Violence is down, cooperation from Iraqis is up, and citizens have returned to Iraq by the thousands. We have a long way to go, and we are not to the point yet where we can call this a sucsess by any means, but we are moving in the right direction and I really hope this continues so we can get out of Iraq ASAP having lived up to our end of the war we decided was worth fighting. My heart goes out to all those who fight for this country, and I will never stop believing that we can come out of this situation having accomplished our mission, although to many that stance has become about as good as mindless, overly patriotic hogwash.

2) Do you consider ABC News a reliable source?

I dont consider any one source reliable enough to soly depend on. Political bias often finds its roots with the media pundints that spin their opinion as if its fact. So even if that opinion is that of Shawn Hannity who I generaly agree with, I try to keep in mind that there are many different views on this contrroversial war, and of politics in general. Therefore one opinion is never enough.

3) What impact will the run-up to this election have on the conditions in Iraq?

I see one of two things playing out, either this war continues to be overshadowed by other issues in this election. Or things take a turn for the worst in Iraq again, which will motivate the media to cover it more. It will also motivate some in the Democratic party to use it as a key argument in support of their party.

Right now however things have gotten better so the focus is more on the economy and why Republicans or Conservatives are the source of that problem.

I wish that wasnt the case but honestly I belive that many have alowed political partisanship or personal views to trump common sense. Maybe im wrong who knows, but Ive come to belive this war and this election has become a battle of clashing morals between the left and right, where dirty tactics have become common place.

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